The Wanganui Herald {Published Daily.) MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1915. ROUMANIA’S INTENTIONS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14744, 25 October 1915, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald {Published Daily.) MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1915. ROUMANIA’S INTENTIONS.

It is reassuring to hear that Roumania is reported to have signified her intention of joining the Allies, conditionally on their sending 400,000 troops to the Balkans, an offer which has been accepted. Roumania'a actions are in keeping with the promise given to Italy recently that she intended to intervene on behalf of the Allies, but would choose her own time to make the move. The delay is said to be duo to the absence of an adequate supply of munitions, though probably the big wheat deal, engineered by German agents with the large land-owners of Roumania, has also had something to do with it. Roumania did not expend her energies in the Balkan campaign, and since then she has had ample warning and time to prepare for eventualities, so that some other reason than lack of munitions is probably responsible for her so long holding aloof. In choosing her own time, Roumania is studying her own interests. Had she entered the lists when the Russians were being beaten back by the advancing Austro-German armies, the latter would have concentrated upon her, perhaps with disastrous results. Now, however, that the tables are turned and the Russian hammer is hitting with effect, driving before it through Galicia the dispirited and depleted Austro-German forces, it is an opportune time for Rou mania to move. Rouraania’s entry on the side of the Allies will be extremely valuable at this juncture, because of the bearing that it will have upon the actions of Greece, and also on the big section of disaffected Bulgarians who do not want to l>e on the Germanic side, and would rather fight for the Allies than against them. A Rome cable states that all Greek parties agree that Greece cannot move unless the Allies have 300,000 in Macedonia. Once these are landed the Greeks of their own accord will ask to join the Entente. Roumania’s entry will also end once and for all the likelihood of the enemy using Roumania as a highroad for the conveyance of troops and guns and shells and food to the aid of Turkey, or sending them through the north-western corner of the State to do battle against Servia. Any advantages that the Austro-German desire to get from or by way of Romnania will now have to be obtained by force. There have been rumours of a Bulgarian and Austrian invasion of Roumania, despite the fact that the latter was not in a state of war, and if these rumours were true it is possible that Bulgaria’s rash act was the turningpoint in Roumania’s policy. It would have been quite sufficient cause. Austria can hardly be expected nowadays to do other than follow ruthlessly in the footsteps of her murderous ally. Questions of neutrality and treaty obligations matter very little to the Germanic mind, and through the north-western corner of Roumania. by way of the Iron Gates, across the Danube, and Turn Severin, runs the main line of Roumanian railway that would be a useful strategic possession for the foe to get hold of. That railway runs close to Bulgarian territory from Austria, and it is quite likely that the Austrians or the Bulgarians have already placed a fores with guns along it at that point. It must be remembered that Roumania. in her entry into the European conflict, will not only be an ally of ours and

fighting to help us'to help £crvia, but she will be playing her own hand in a big way for the enlargement of her territory and tho repatriation of thousands of her people. Roumanians are' spread extensively over this corner of Europe, in Transylvania, Hungary, the Dukovina, Bessarabia, Servia, Bulgaria, and Macedonia,and whereas tho total of the Roumanians on the face of the earth is about 12,000,000, only 7,500,000 or so live vfithin the confines of the country proper. Therefore, while she is aiding us and hampering Bulgaria, Roumania, it may be taken for granted, will be fighting at least for the inclusion in her territory of the Bukovina, Transylvania, and the Banat.