The North Otago Times WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1916. RUMANIA'S DECLARATION.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13659, 30 August 1916, Page 2

The North Otago Times WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1916. RUMANIA'S DECLARATION.

Coming almost simultaneously with Italy's declaration of war with Germany, Rumania's entry into the war has made a deep impression both in Allied and enemy countries. The Damibian Kingdom has been "on the verge" as it were, so many limes, that only those within the veil knew precisely the state of affairs, Rumania's declaration has staggered the Central Powers who still believed in. the effncaey of intrigue. Not only will the decision have a great moral effect upon thp attitude of the few remaining neutrals, but Rumania's military strength, as this morning's cable messages inform us, will necessitate a rearrangement of Hie plans of .Germany. The geographical position of Rumania places her in a strong strategical place in- the band of steel that is inexorably tightening upon the vitals of the Central Powers. One Rumanian statesman, a leading interventionist, claims that Rumania's intervention will shorten the war by six months, hasten the doom of Bulgaria, cut oft' Turkey, and expedite the fall of Constantinople and the opening of the Dardanelles. \V<> hope he is a true prophet. The presence of the Allies at Salonika is now.regarded as a stroke of genius which assures the. position'of Rumania, holds f!recce in check and bodes ill for the Bulgarians. Hostilities, we are told; have already commenced, the Rumanians having pierced the Carpathians, north-west of Buka-

vest. Colonel Repingtcm supplies a very careful resume of the military strength of Rumania, and expresses strong confidence in the fighting prowess of our new Ally. Rumania's entry on the side of the Entente is worth infinitely more than the million bayonets ."he hrings to our standards, The moral effect is incalculable, ami the German General Staff are so perturbed that they are now anxiously concerned as to the next step Greece will take, indeed the German newspapers are warning the people In prepare 1W further embarrassment, flermany's doom is sealed. The news is especially gratifying to the people who live in these far-Hung islands, After all, we know Very little of the actual progress of the war, The cable news is nil too meagre ami indefinite, and we are largely in the dark as to the general situation. The statesmen of Italy and Rumania have first-hand information, and we islioulil take renewed courage from the fact that Rumania, knowing the precise • position of the military campaign, recognises the impossibility of a Herman victory and lias taken her place side by side with the Powers who are fighting for justice and civilisation. Rumania's entry, in the words of American state opinion is "the most propitious event for .the Allies since the battle of the Marne," where Germany's military plans were irretrievably smashed,