[From The London Times, Nov. 25, 1914.]
SOFIA, Nov. 23.
The efforts made by Germany and Austria-Hungary to win over Rumania,
or at least to induce her to refrain from prosecuting her claims to
Transylvania, are being pursued with indefatigable energy and
perseverance. The same methods are being employed in Bucharest as
here, but on an even larger scale. The issues involved seem to be more
fully realized by the Central European powers than by their opponents,
and no pains are being spared to draw Rumania and Bulgaria within the
orbit of their influence.
The campaign in Bucharest was at first attended by a certain measure
of success, owing to the attitude of M. Bratiano, the Premier; of M.
Carp, a former Prime Minister, and of M. Marghiloman, the present
leader of the Conservative Opposition. But many influential Liberals
have already associated themselves with the programme of the action
advocated by M. Take Jonesco, the chief of the Conservative-Democratic
Party, and of M. Filipescu, a former Conservative Minister, whose
advocacy of a forward policy threatens to cause a split in the
Conservative camp. The great bulk of the political world desires to
profit by the European crisis to secure Transylvania, the only
difference of opinion being with regard to the advisability of
immediate action. The consultative committee of the Conservative Party
has passed a resolution demanding the abandonment of neutrality.
The concessions offered by Count Tisza, the Hungarian Premier, in the
hope of averting the coming storm, make no impression on the Rumanians
either within or without the monarchy. He promises to allow the
teaching of Rumanian in the schools, the use of the language in the
public services, and increased Rumanian representation in the
Hungarian Parliament. But the time for concessions has gone by. The
Austrian advance into Servia threatens to cut off Rumania from
Southern and Western Europe and to prevent the arrival from the
United States of the large supplies of stores and medicaments ordered
there.
It is evident that neither Rumania nor Bulgaria can long maintain
their present attitudes. It remains for the powers of the Entente to
devise a means for securing the co-operation of both States.
Servia recently inquired in Bucharest whether Rumania would oppose
territorial concessions to a neighboring State, evidently indicating
Bulgaria. Rumania replied that she would be happy to see all the
quarrels of her neighbors arranged. The Government at Nish,
appreciating the necessities of the situation, is now disposed toward
a policy of concession. Servia's only hope of maintaining an
independent existence lies in the success of the Entente powers. She
is, therefore, bound to consent to any course they may deem necessary
at the present juncture.