ROUMANIAN PART IN THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1916, Page 2

ROUMANIAN PART IN THE WAR.

KOW KING CHARLES .KEPT OUT OF IT FOR TWO YEARS. The Austro-Hungarian Red Book that war, issued in October last contains many hitherto unknown and most sensational reports by the Austro-ITungarian Minister at Bucharest. These illustrate the almost pathetic position of the late King diaries, who apparently tried his utmost to win hi? people over to the side of the Central Powers. "On .llilv 22, 1!)14, the Anstra-Hun-garian Government instructed their Minister at Bucharest to inform the Roumanian Government confidentially concerning the coming presentation of a Note to Serbia. On Jill}' 2ft Austro-I-fAngary declares that she expects. Roumania will remain strictly neutirJ, and ill the case of Russian aggression, cooperate loyally. On .July 28 the Minister ac Bucharest reports that King Charles has assured him of Roumanian neutrality in case of an Austro-Huugarian war against Serbia. Unfortunately Roumanian co-operation in case of Russian aggression should -lot be countc.l upon. King Charles added that no power on earth could induce him ever to seize arms against Austria-Hungary.

ROUMANIANS OPPOSED; ' On August 6 King Charles communicated to the Aiistro-Hnhgarian Minister t.'ie information that lie was una Ma to make the Roumanian Council a: ept the fulfilment of the treaty alliance, bu; added that .the union with Russia had bien repudiated. i. "On September 23 King Charles frantically told the Austro-Hungarian Minister to confer on the situation with Crown Prince Ferdinand, who declared it wan impossible to participate in a war against Russia, but that virtually everyone in Roumania wanted war against, Austro-Huiigary. "On October fl the Austro-Hungarian Minister had an audience with King Charles, who was dying and the K ! ng exclaimed: "I have only to die and see the- end cf this" The King died on October 10.

CRISIS ARRIVES AT LAST The reports cover the discussion in Roumania as to whether Russian troops would be allowed to march across Roumania, and as to the concentration of RiTornniinn troops on (lie Austrc Hmigarian fronti*r. On June 25, 1010, tln» Austrp-Hiingarian Minister predicted that a critical time had arrived. 'The Minister reports that the Entente threatens Roumania, and that it would consider no Roumanian wishes in the peace conference if Roumania (171 no' enter the war now. On July ?7 the Minister reports that King Ferclmaiio declared: 'I have the same, intentions as my late uncle, but not the same authority.' " On July 27 the Minister reports the conversations with him. The Minister said to Premier Bratiano that lie was conscious that this was one of his last conversations with him. The Minister announced to Premier Bratiano that m ease of war German troops would cooperate in Transylvania. On August 5 tlii' Austro-llungarian Consul at i!a!uU wires that the Roumanian mobilisation is superfluous, since Italy's troops ar? mobilised already. ASKS FOR BUKOWJXA '■' On August S rremier Bratiano the cession of a part of Bukowiua, alicgin" that this may strengthen the ;wrt! salit. of neutrality. The Minister, following discussion, declined, since i'His cession would not prevent P.or.inanip. from attacking Austro-Hnngary whenever she would think the moment propitious. On August 12 the Aust.ro Tilings ian Foreign Minister instruct! the Minister at Bucharest U point out in a fi iendly tone that Roumania leaves the Russian frontier unprotected, whiie making strong war preparations against Anstro-Hungary. The King's answer to these representations on August 20, the Minister reports, was 'evasive - as usual.' The nighi of the 20th Premier B'atiann declared in n conversation with tiiC Minister that the Roumanians would enter the- war only if attacked. On the 27th Roumania declared war.'