RUMANIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 61, 12 March 1915, Page 7

RUMANIA.

AUSTRIA PREPARES! FOR INVASION. BERLIN ORDERS ALLY TO STRIKE FIR.ST BLOW. LONDON", February 10. T. J. Jonescue. a well known Ruteanian tetatesnian, teJegTaphing from Bucharest to the "Daily News," confirms t'..e belief that Rumania with the progress of time is more and more intent oil throwing in her lot with England, France and Russia.

"My belief." he save, "is firmer than ever that the present cairn in public opinion springs from a deep belief that action is necessary, il cannot tix the date, but the presence of Austro-G€rnian troops near the boundaries has not weakened Rumania's determination. The statement of the Austro-Gennan Press about a change in favour of Austria and Germany is devoid ol foundation.' , (By ALFRED STEAD.) (Special to London "Daily Express.") XISH, February 10. The Austrian Government -will address a note to Rumania calling attention to the fact that Serviim stores are passing up the Danube, thus violating Rumania's neutrality, ;ukl especially asking the meaning of ,-fche new purchases of ammunition by Kumania, and whether these do not consjatute an unfriendly act against Hungary in view of the unrest of the Rumanian, population in Transylvania. Failing a satisfactory ansifer and an assurance tiiat the army wit not be used against Austria, the" Government at Vienna -will claim it is forced'to take necessary steps to prevent the passage of ammunition- up .the Danube through Rumania to Servia. The first step,will be the occupation of Turauseverinu. Such diplomats action is tantamount to declaring- war on Rumania. .Sine* it is manifestly impossible for Bucharest to give a satisfactory answer, Austria apparently means to make the invasion of Rumania lier last desperate throw before acknowledging defeat. TROOPS ARE CONCENTRATED. At every point preparations afe being made for throwing great masses of troops toward Krajova. More than 400.000 troops are now concentrated in the Temesvar neighbourhood. > Austria is determined not to delay action until Rumania mobilises. She will not repeat her initial order against Serbia, vfhen the most propitious moment for atteck -was I lost

The invasion of Rumania is la much easier task, as the territory ife more open and the invader can soon reach the great Rumanian plain arouitd Krajova. The order has come front Berlin to invade Rumania before mobiEsation, and not wait for Rumania to cheiose the most suitable moment. Austria is only waiting to organise a new army: which is largely composed of recruits, and to replace material c-aptured by tie Servians.

The Kaiser fears Rumanian action, especially as he realises that the King of Rumania, although a HohennoUern Prince, has become truly Rumanian, and no longer.recognises the, divine of the Kaiser to command, bat "»511 act for th<> accomplishment of legitimate national a&pirations even to tlie extent of going to war with. Germany. Serbia is preparing to participate in the new development. In tlie event of an invasion of Rumania it Vs necessary that Serbia prepare for Bulgarian aggression. RUMANIANS ARE DEGSTVED. An Austrian aeroplane, -which flew over Rumanian territory scenting toward Vereiorova, wjis fired at by Serbian batteries, 'but the Rumanian frontier troops were deceived by the Rumanian tri-colour on .the winjs of the machine. Serbian artillery fire has ibeen concentrated on the railway station and line at Orsova. and has broken communication between Hungaria and ! Rumania. It has been impossible, however, to destroy the lino arriving at On ova from the north. Considerable tmejisineae is felt in Rumanian frontier regfone, and the concentration of Rumanian, troops is imminent. '

"To cover the passage of animunition from Salonika, it is reported orders have been given to the Krajora gariison, and also to the river monitors to 1 'take all necessary precautions. But jt is too late to 'begin the defensive -xt a vital point of such national importance. The situation is developing- rapidly, and is likely to b-scome critical at any moment since the visible a-ctivity at Oγsova is growing daily. j AUSTRIA*' TROOPS VKSLATE FRONTIER. ' PARIS, February 8. Austrian troops have violated the Rumanian frontier near Turn[ Sc-verein, the '"Journal" is informed in «j. dispatch from its Xish correspondent. The Austriane are reported to have fired on frontier guards, who .attempted to oppose their passage, and a furious fight followed.

Strong reinforcements came to the help of the Rninan-ianp, and after a .three-aour struggle the Ausfcrians are reported to have been driven back acroes the line with a large number of 'wounded.

If the Austrians had captured Turn Severein, the correspondent aays, they would have had complete command of Kladova. the only place in Serbia on the Danube permitting communication •with Rumania. ! The incident, which occurred eeveral dave ago, has not been followed up by either side, the "Journal's" report states.