A PLEDGE OF VICTORY

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13271, 29 August 1916, Page 4

A PLEDGE OF VICTORY

The intelligence that Roumania has declared war upon Austria is, perhaps, the most significant item that the cable has supplied since the opening of hostilities, as it indicates that in the opinion of the Roumanian statesmen the Central Powers are already lieaten, and that the complete and final triumph of the Entente Powers is absolutely assured. Though the sympathies of the Roumanian people have been distinctly pro-ally, the Government have maintained a policy of watchful waiting, as they did not feel justified in undertaking undue risks. In the days of the first Russian advance, Roumania was promised a large extension of territory if she would intervene and throw in her might on the side of the Allies in order to hasten the end. Then came the Lrreat Russian retreat, the entry of Bulgaria, and the smashing of Serbia, and though apparently on the verge of making the great decision, Roumania finally decided to hold hack and await further developments. And there can be no question that caution was justified, for the country had much to risk. All the big financial interests in Roumania are under German control, the country is prosperous by reason of the high prices paid for her products by Germany and Austria, and prosperity always goes a long way towards neutralising the influence of national aspiration. The resumption of the Russian offenfeive, the allied advance on the West and German failure at Verdun, have apparently convinced Roumanian statesmen that the Allies' success is beyond doubt, and in order to participate in the sooils they have decided to lend their help to hasten the date of distribution. Roumanian statesmen have shown much more prescience than the Bulgarians, for at the outset they also adopted a waiting policy, hut they made their decision too soon, with the result that nothing can save their country from being over-run. Roumanians entry will most certainly have farreaching effects, for it will enable the movements of Russian troops across Roumanian territory, assail Bulgaria from the north, and supply *the necessary stiffening to the Greeks, who can no longer ignore the fact that the cause of the Central Powers is parlous indeed, and that their best policy is to actively defend their country from the incursions of the Bulgarian invaders, which a cablegram also published today indicates that the Allies have pointedly told them is their job. The war strength of the Roumanian army is probably- oyer 50(3,000, service being compulsory add universal between 21 to 42 years. The infantry is armed with the Mannlicher rifle, their field gun being a Krupp quickfirer.