CAROL THE MASTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1939, Page 10

CAROL THE MASTER

NEW ROUMANIAN REGIME. Roumania, standing directly in Germany’s line of advance to the Black Sea/has 1 become the unenviable centre of world interest, writes l R. H. Markham from Bucharest to the “Christian Science Monitor.” The trend ■of its foreign policy, the prospects of its stability at heme, are subjects of eager and anxious speculation. For thei past few months King Carol’s genius for evolving a cautious foreign policy has been reinforced by the diplomatic skill of the new Foreign' Minister, Grigorc Gafencu, whose activity in signing a trade pact with Germany immediately after the Bohemian coup and in balancing this move with a close understanding with Pic-land 1 has kept the world guessing-what is afoot. In any event-, there is- a feeling that Roumania —-especially since l Britain has l extended its non-ag’gression commitments to include not only Poland 1 but other “imperilled” States —will not be the easiest game- for the masters of German Welt-Politik.

The main need for Roumania. as for all smaller nations in Germany’s path is unity at home. Here may. be the country’s weakest point, for the "royal authoritarianism” imposed by the King is by no means universally accepted. AL the end of March a movement led by Dr. Ju'liu Manin, Peasant Party leader, and an old opponent, of the King’s adventures in autocracy, joined with, the Liberals Constantine and George Br-atianu and others ill urging the monarch to form a truly national Government. While- the. King and the Government leaders 1 were celebrating the first anniversary of the- present authoritarian Constitution, professing to bo completely satisfied with its working, Dr. Manin was circulating a secret pamphlet, designed to show that it is a failure. Which is right?

The present system is called' Royal authoritarianism by the Government and tyranny by the opposition. Perhaps there terms: are synonymous. A more accurate term is absolutism. That is tb.e system King Carol has imposed upon Roumania. He is absolute master, just as much as a Russian Tsar, a French Bourbon, or Egyptian! Pharaoh used to be. He is the State. He is the executive, the judge, the law maker. All authority resides in him. He exercises powers of life and death. He decrees laws, interprets them, and enforces or violates them as he- sees- lit. He applies cr disregards' his own Constitution as he thinks best. At the celebration of the first anniversary of this absolutism, the Government gave' itself up to unmeasured laudation of the King and the dynasty. In reviewing Roumania’s modern history, the Acting Prime Minister did not offend his sovereign by presuming to refer to the worth of the .Roumanian nation or to lhe achievements of great. Roumanian statesmen during the last three-quar-ters of a century. Had it not been for the radio apparatus, and’ the blue Fas’cistic uniforms, cm..' migln have imagined a Vizier before a Sultan. Now what has this absolutism brought, to Roumania’.' Firstly. order. Such regime."' arc usually found'd l<> suppress r prevent disorder. That was Hie mission of Philip II and Emperor Francis Jos.'.'.ph. In this-King Caro] has suecc' ded. Roumania is a land of order. sc enriiy, and t ranqniliiy. \nd this, is a gain. Roumania is incom."l.dy a qnieier jdm <• than in Jami ary. I'JJS. It is more civilised and agreeable and decent.

POSITION Ob' THE JEWS. This is seen chiefly in tho treatment of Jews. A year ago Jews- were subjected to revolting attacks by a voluminous Press, the- vituperations of which knew no bounds, and also were subjected to physical violence. Now thev are perfectly secure, are not subjected 1 to much humiliation, and are fairly free to continue with their "woik. The Jews are better treated in Roumania than in any country between Roumania and the Rhine.

And other minorities 1 also are l given more friendly consideration than formerly. Their actual situation has not been improved to any extent, but in the absence of Press campaigns against them have been promised 1 a more worthy place in Roumania’s public life. On the whole, the Roumanian State is treating its 5,000,000 minorities with more dignity than at any time since/ the- State was' formed.

Roumania’s foreign policy, too, is being excellently conducted, due, of course, to King Carol and Grigore Gafencu. his able Foreign Minister. Roumania’s foreign policy is deriving obvious benefits. In its 1 aim of maintains a. stable balance in southeastern Europe; King Carol, through having the policy in his own hands, is showing outstanding prudence, and, when necessary, resistance. He always hopes that, concessions made to one great. Power, will be neutralised by similar concessions bj r another. He cherishes England’s good-will; but he is careful not to let friendship for England offend Germany. He refused to join England in any outright declaration against the Reich, and would not. invite an anti-German confeienec to his capital. He knows that little isolated States must steer a middle course.

More official attention is being given to the peasant masses than usual, though the actual achievements so far, are meagre. It is mostly a splurge, but a good splurge. These are positive- features, which a. fair observer musK place’on the favourable side of the balance. What is the price paid for them? First, the stifling' of the spirit of the nation. Of course, popular expression means some confusion. Selfgovernment means talking, perhaps shouting, even calling names. But when all expression of popular opinion is forbidden, spiritual stagnation comes. That is the case to-day in Roumania. The State is its King. The nation is ruled out.

It must be pointed out, also, that corruption has 1 increased, since much of Roumania’s public‘life 1 is based on favouritism. Every single thread in Roumania passes through the 1 hands of a local absolutist up to the supremo absolutist. Roumania’s public. life is a pyramid placed on its peak and resting on universal obsequiousness.

Education has been regimented. This is partly good and partly bad. The Iron Guards have taken possession of [.he schools. Now the Iron Guards have been converted into Royal Guards. The system is essentially the same. It is not. fundamentally, enlightenment, but training, keeping step, saluting the right, person. ardently. JI’STJCE AND GOVERNMENT. .liislic'.' has been almost compTclely' iibordinaled to tlm executive |u w- < r. II is not even “Folk Justice” as in National Socialist. Germany, but absolutist jiisiic.e. No Judge could thrive who opposed royal policies. 11l urgent cases, juridical processes are < < uij leirly discarded. The greatest I'-C’lli i< ;tI rc I'm ms in Europe's- modern history hogan some 1150 Years ago,

when French Judges strove to give' independent judgment. Now a cycle seems to have, been completed, aiid there is a return- to dependent Courts. As a. matter of fact, the; procedure in many cases is that of a court-mar-tial. This regime, has done much for the army. Perhaps this point should be placed on the positive side. But it seems that, less actual progress is being made than under the parliamentary regime of George Talarescn. War Ministers arc constantly changed. ot-| licei's participate in conspiracies, a “purge" has been necessary, and tale Premier himself. Armand Calincscit, had t.o lake over the War Ministry. The spirit of the army has not been improved. 11. Ims been lorccd to lie-! come toe intimate!) identified with thio til)L.olv»iit. ; i icpiiuc, I lie value of the leu has fallen by nearly 50 per

cent. —a. significant comment on th© economy. Such is the balance of Roumania’s absolutism. Was there no other way to save- Roumania from the Roumanians. except by taking all power out cf their bauds? And can a people Ghat has to he preserved from itself be preserved? This writer cannbt but believe that, after all, the best protection’ of Roumania must be the but believe that, after all, the best protection of Roumania must be the Roumanian people!