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skND GREAT
A.
BRITAIN
HERSCOVICi HURST
<^.
[Photo
ROUMANIA
AND GREAT BRITAIN
BY
A.
HERCOVIC! HURST
With
SIR
a Preface by
THOMAS DUNLOP,
Bart.,
NEW YORK
MCMXVI
TORONTO
PREFACE
HAVE
the Committee
the
I the
National Roumanian
Fund that
request of
of
Relief
I should
is
being published
a twofold purpose
first,
in this
PREFACE
Roumania
back
but
as the time of the Emperor Trajan
until the present century httle was known
of her evolution or her chequered career.
Until recently the nations of Western
traces her history as far
written
is
an authorita-
Her
means not
it
mense importance
It is therefore
in the future.
PREFACE
of Great Britain should
vii
know
as
much
as
war,
we
are
and business
relationships.
From this
commend the
study
of
social
all
point
of view
cordially
in
the
future
Thomas Dunlop.
WHEN
Balkan
military
politics.
ROmLA^NIA
in
the
south-east of Europe
feature.
Many were
went against
us,
of the
ancient principalities
of
strategic position
On
is
and
western
borders it is bounded by the high Carpathian Mountains, and the ground sweeps
from them in a gradual slope through
fertile plains to the Danube
and the
Pruth.
ance.
The
its
northern
for,
although the winters are sometimes extremely cold, and the height of the summer
is marked by great heat, the temperature
is agreeable during the greater part of the
year
and the abundant harvests, for
which the country has always been cele;
ROUMANIA
4
brated,
natural
the
are
best
indication
of
its
fertility.
The
Germans
directions
for
political
reasons.
With
Roumania's Progress
Nearly 80 per cent, of the people of
are engaged in agriculture and
kindred occupations
but there are important towns in the country, and a
commercial population that has increased
with the development of industry.
Each department has its chief town, and
Roumania
and
its
modern music
flourish there,
an
university,
excellent
and
it
libraries,
has
and
held
abundance
in
ROUMANIA
pathians,
and
who
lives
his herds, or
he
among
his
flocks
an agriculturist of the
plains,
is
customs and
dress.
and
the
congregations
do
not
consist
Many
the
ROmiANIA
of those
who were
Roman
settled
soldier
the
in
colonists
kingdom of
Trajan. That
by the Emperor
kingdom consisted of the territory now
known as Transylvania, which at present
Dacia
is
ciously
to
their
national
customs,
and,
by the
invaders,
it is
still
it
is
in the
not
main a
difficult to
ROUMANIA
10
is
to
none of
establish
whom was
himself as
strong enough
over the
ruler
country.
As Mahommedan power increased and spread,
Roumania came
gradually under the sovereignty of the
Turk, but, though the people were subdued, they were never crushed
in spite
of oppression and massacre, the national
;
There they
[Photo
11
the
foreign
hunting,
settlers
and raiding
who had
displaced
them
to
realise
establish an independent
their
desire
to
Roumania.
b2
ROUMANIA
12
of Wallachia
he succeeded in freeing
his principality from the foreign yoke,
but he recognised that to keep his country
free he must continue to fight the oppressor
and aid his neighbours to destroy the
Turkish power. He went to the assistance
of Serbia, and took part in the great
battle of Kossovo, and, though there the
Turks were victorious and the Serbian
military genius
on the subject.
In the present
18
memory
recalled
of the great
ROUMANIA
14
To
free
15
who
IC
ROUMANIA
17
claimed the throne as leader of the Roumanians. By his swiftness and vigour he
surprised and defeated the Hungarians.
Having established his power in Transylvania, he proceeded to clear Moldavia of
the Sultan's satellites, and with the goodwill of the people he became the first ruler
of Roumania proper, consisting of the
present kingdom with Bessarabia, Bukowina and Transylvania. It is no wonder
that in the present great war the King of
Roumania should invoke the shade of
Michael to aid in conquering that land
beyond the forest the unredeemed Roumania over which he ruled.
The pride of the Sultan was laid low and
He
his conquests torn from his grasp.
sent against Michael army after army, but,
though his best generals led them, few of
the legions that crossed the Danube ever
In the height of his power
returned.
Mchael agreed to give assistance to the
Austrians, who were then hard pressed.
He went to join them with his army and
while he was in his tent General Basta,
ROmiANIA
18
life
dearly and
He was and
patriotic
life
is
Now,
as then, Britain
is
had time to
19
Roumanian
Dawn
spirit killed.
of a Brighter
Day
20
ROUMANIA
annexed to her own territory the Bukowina, and the Roumanians have never been
In 1804 the Roureconciled to this loss.
manians went to the assistance of Karageorge in Serbia, Avhen he headed a revolt
against the Turks, but the action did not
result in gaining for them any relief from
Ottoman misrule. They were always ready
to help other oppressed peoples, though
unable to free themselves from the heavy
weight of misgovernment. In 1822 the
Turkish tyranny had become such a horror
and a scandal to the European Powers that
they intervened, and insisted on Roumania
being allowed to govern itself luider the
nominal suzerainty of the Sultan. As
usual it was easier to get the Turk to
promise reform than to fulfil his promise,
and in 1824 Britain had to step in and
insist on the arrangement being carried
From that date until 1848 Moldavia
out.
and Wallachia w^re each ruled by native
princes under the protection of Russia and
Turkey. National aspirations grew steadily,
and in 1848, when among the Western
21
ruler,
difficulty in the
to Paris.
Then
as Prince a
it
was
member
felt
that by choosing
of one of the
European
might be
ROUMANIA
22
was
when
28
expectations
establish
them
in peaceful
in
first
of
Roumanians
losing his
safely develop.
24
ROUMANIA
AND GREAT BRITAIN
25
seizing
triumph
made
forts
to
the
Gravitza, brought
Russian armies, and
of
a reputation
has since sustained.
for
itself
which
it
many and
Austria.
Austria,
who had
ROUMANIA
26
But
in
Prince
Carol,
while
fitting
his
recognised
The Queen
If
it
Carmen
Roumania was
Sylva
less
fortunate
BRATIANO
AND GREAT BRITAIN
in his Consort.
27
is
commonly
said
that
all
Royal
and there certainly
some quarters to
ROUMANIA
28
themselves.
lished
With
industries
improve
their
position.
AND GREAT BRITAIN
29
among
she
the people steadily increased
slackened her interest in their
welfare, and they knew that in her they
;
never
had a
ruler
ROUIVIANIA
80
When
Serbia,
Greece
formed an alliance to
rid
and Bulgaria
Europe of the
object
It
of the
is
well
Central
a benevolent
that the
Powers and the
known
81
to
their
Bulgaria
now
Bulgaria had
been successful in defeating Serbia and
It
is
German
if
influence
Powers,
of the
Entente Powers Britain and her allies.
This is not to say that Roumania was
to
the
policy
of
the
Central
ROUMANIA
S2
she was
acting in what she believed to be her own
interests, and these interests did not appear
either
of the
great
alliances
Her
AND GREAT BRITAIN
88
ROUMANIA
84
the
and
little
to
many,
been
these
When
this
is
will
be
much
members of the Balkan Alliance
playing
Bulgaria
in
more, had she assisted
the German game, the task of the Allies
;
to-day would have been immensely increased, and that under difficulties almost
insurmountable. Being a small Power, she
could not have done more than she did and
if she had b een ambitious of aggrandisement
and content to be under German domina;
tion, she
might
easily
have done
less.
King Ferdinand
It would have been no new thing
history of Roumania for progress
in the
to be
8S
ROUMANIA
36
man, who
is
not
given
He
to
is a modest
spectacular
it
87
their successors.
Queen Marie
Queen Marie is as little given to display
and theatrical effect as is the King
her
influence does not depend on anything but
;
her
own
She
personality.
is
accessible to
cause.
influence
among
all classes
of her subjects.
It
ROUMANIA
88
The Roumanians
they are employed.
have long been noted for their skill in
embroidery and needlework, but under the
guidance of the Queen they have been
taught to make improvements both in
design and in execution while, at the same
time, conserving all that was good in the
methods of industry. Under her patronage
the silk industry has been greatly dethe mulberry tree is cultivated
veloped
in various parts of the country and the
silkworm is reared with such success that
no finer quality of silk is produced in any
part of the world.
But Queen Marie, while attending to her
subjects, does not forget her family, and is
a model mother. She has six children who
They
are the rising hope of the country.
have their mother's beauty and give
promise of showing their father's good
sense.
They are reaching an age when
people speculate as to the alliances they
may make, and the Roumanian people
have no doubt that they will justify the
;
they are
fit
to
mate with
39
any-
great.
price of
freedom
is
eternal vigilance,
true
in
Great Powers
the
may be
people in the smaller States in Southeastern Europe had a more accurate idea
of what was likely to result from the
ambitions of the Central Powers, and
particularly of Germany, than had the
ROUMANIA
40
Germany
was
Austro-Hungarian feeling
could, by any event, be stirred to such an
extent that the country would go to war
with one of its neighbours, then Germany,
on the plea of friendship, could enter in
alliances.
If
41
Austria.
ROUMANIA
42
disappointed.
Origin of the
War
his
earthly
satellites,
history
may
yet
reveal.
The fact is that the tragic end of
the Archduke Ferdinand and his consort
at Sarajevo gave Austria a reasonable
cause of complaint against Serbia
but
the complaint was made in an unreasonable
way. It was a right and proper thing to
demand a rigid enquiry into the crime, to
search for its perpetrators, and to secure
but Austria
their pimishment when found
did not make such a request. She made
demands to which no State could accede
and preserve, not merely her sovereign
In Western
rights, but her self-respect.
Europe the people generally did not
believe that these demands would be
Serbia showed her wiUingpersisted in.
;
48
ROUMANIA
44
them as a scrap
she declared war on France
obligations, or treat
of
paper
to
make doubly
it.
Sir
so exerted himself
Germany
qualities.
It
is
little
wonder
45
man
should
look
strong,
speak loudly,
littling
out,
other people.
He
is
trained to
and other
people smaller than they are, and con-
sequently he
is
is
sensibilities of others
and misunderstand-
ing them.
In a sense it is true that
thousands of people are being killed to-day
because the Germans were unable to
distinguish between size and strength.
Italy
in
ROUMANIA
46
Italy
Germany
Both
Italy
attacked by them
in neither country
was the German spirit admired, or the
German ambition approved. Both countries were racially akin to France, and in
both countries Britain has been tradition:
ally respected
and beloved.
Roumania
declared her neutrality immediately after the war began, and her
action had its influence on Italian policy ;
but, though the country remained neutral,
the
47
in
question,
Parliament,
of influence,
who cannot be
called anti-
ROUMANIA
48
German
sentiment.
In France also,
there were men who
differed from the mass of their fellowcitizens in their view of German character
and
in
Belgium,
in
German
inspired intrigue.
In Italy there
Roumania' s Attitude
49
but she
had not the strength to do so
did nothing to hinder them and a great
deal to prevent the Central Powers from
supplying the Turks and the Bulgars with
war material.
The war seriously injured the trade
;
Roumania
of
the
Dardanelles
being
She was,
She
blockaded against
not a wealthy nation
and she had to sell her grain in order to
but she sold as little as possible,
exist
and borrowed from Britain to meet her
at
all.
the Allies.
in fact,
is
needs.
Sir
fidence
in
country to
Grain
going.
for
ROUMANIA
50
against
all.
51
Central Powers were distrusted and disliked by the Roumanian people and that
these Powers could not expect their active
support but if Roumania could be persuaded that if, influenced by her sym-
But
opinion
effectively.
Policy of Intervention
ROUMANIA
52
had
burned
been
into
generations of persecution.
sufferings to
Hungary that
them through
The trials and
homes
rather than fight for their oppressors, and
their presence in Roumania contributed
Roumania
itself.
They
left their
forth,
58
It
When
Central
ROUMANIA
54
surely
is
of Salonica
55
by the AlHes
or Vienna.
It was probably
knowledge of Roumania's intention
and their reliance on her good faith that
for,
led the Allies to remain in Greece
Belgrade
their
Roumania
is
different
government
there
is
The
and
no
ROUMANIA
56
import.
sation of the
and an
Hungary.
The
moment
has
come
to
from
then on our
side.
57
From
ROUMANIA
58
Her
entry
accession
to
into
the
the
war
fighting
means
forces
an
of the
but
that is the least of the effects of Roumania's intervention. Its strategic importance is great; for should the Salonica
forces join hands with it the ring of steel
JONESCU
59
E 2
ROUMANIA
60
The
Roumania's
immense.
Not only will the Central Powers be
unable to purchase from her, but if
the forces at Salonica join with the Roumanians the supplies from Bulgaria and
Turkey to Austria and Germany will be
cut oft". They will be blockaded on land
even more effectually than they have
been blockaded by sea. As their supplies
of food have been, from the beginning of
economic
intervention
is
effect
bound
of
to
be
insufficiency to such
the situation
mic pressure
critical,
may
be expected to have
far-reaching results.
of Bukowina and Tranpreponderatingly of RouThese dismanian race and sentiment.
tricts are " Roumania irredenta."
If, as
The population
sylvania
is
61
Germany
in the East.
British subject I
land of
my
birth
is
am
now
my
all
people.
To France we were
allied as
mother
and the cradle of con-
of Parliaments,
stitutional liberty.
ROUMANIA
63
their advantage,
how
We
in the ideals of
Germany
trust.
03
Minister, M. Em - Porumbaru.
No one
can take part in this great war without
though the
for
feels
nations
who
are
fighting
APPENDIX
its
towns
The
commercial development.
are old, but it is only of late
years that
have
modern
affected
industrial
conditions
connected with
is
business even yet
the agricultural and stock-raising inAbout a third
terests of the country.
is cultivated, another third
and the remainder is
used
as
pasture,
is
mainly waste land which is capable of
being developed. The soil is very rich
the black earth being famous for its
fertility
but even in the best developed
districts it is only lightly ploughed, for
farming has not wholly emerged from
of the country
It
is
true that
new
65
ROUMANIA
66
The country is
the main rivers and
want of
capital.
watered.
All
well
tri-
frozen.
67
Moldavia,
is
great
ROUMANIA
68
are disinclined to
their independence,
accept him as their guide and friend.
The country produces wheat, barley
(including the famous orzoica quality),
maize, rye, millet, rape seed, and hemp.
Even now in the production of cereals
Roumania is considered the third country
in the world, coming after the United
States and Russia, and if this is so at
present there is reasonable ground for the
belief that with the application of modern
methods and machinery the production
might be indefinitely increased. The vegetable crops are as abundant as the cereals.
Beet being extensively cultivated, sugar
and
flocks of sheep,
^9
The
ROUMANIA
70
of Sylviculture.
The vine
the
lower
in
the production of
Roumanian
wines.
The petroleum
wells
are
famous
for
their
and
twenty
richness.
is
milhon
71
two
Over
pounds
of
foreign
is
Refineries
managers.
will
not
in-
Germans
or
gaining
Americans in
the goodwill of
Roumania. If Britain will take advantage
of the opportunity which now presents
itself
lished
ROUMANIA
72
would
be of profit to both
commercially and politically.
Coal, lignite
countries,
various parts of the country sometimes on the surface but they have not
been systematically worked. Indeed, this
natural source of wealth has been so much
neglected that even in peace time the
price of coal in the capital reaches to
in
rich in minerals.
there.
Although
found
abundance, but
only
worked by convict labour, there being
no chemical industries established in the
country 65,000 tons a year are produced.
Salt
is
in
is
AND GREAT BRITAIN
APPENDIX
78
II
Finance
For many
years past the Roumanian Budget has shown a surplus, the revenue having
consistently exceeded the annual estimate.
The following are the latest figures
:
ROUMANIA
74
capital.
The following
tables
from
official
sources
75
II
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910,
1911.
re
ROUMANIA
TABLE
Agriculture
Acreage
IV
77
ment commercially.
Her Government is
an unstable one
her people are
honest, progressive and peaceful
their
political alliance with the Western Powers
is a natural one and it would be strengthened by a trade alliance.
The comparatively small trade between Roumania
and Britain is evidenced by the figures
not
afield
sideration of
in
its
claims
is
sure to give
it
ROUMANIA
78
APPENDIX
III
Elisabeth
(born 15th October, 1893)
Marie (born
(born 11th October, 1894)
Nicolas (born 18th
8th January, 1900)
Ileana (born 5th January,
August, 1903)
Mircea (born 3rd January, 1912).
1909)
The Roumanian King is a constitutional
monarch. As in this country, he has a
power of veto. He chooses a political
leader to form a Ministry and the Ministry
is responsible to the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
The Legislature is composed of a Senate
of 120 members indirectly elected for
eight years by two colleges representing
and a Chamber
the propertied electors
of 183 members elected for four years by
;
less
79
than 20
who
delegates
ROUMANIA
80
and
schools,
women,
universities
men and
Elemenand attendance
compulsory between the ages
established
tary education
at school
for
is
is
by the
State.
free,
of 7 and 14.
The
civil
81
Railways.
He
Roumania
State
in the
ciple.
ROUMANIA
82
avowed
friend
of
the
Allies.
He
first
left it
83
Secretaries.
E.C.
British Legation, Bucharest
ROUIVIANIA
84
and
Commercial Attache.
A. P. Bennett, C.M.G.
Honble.
A. AkersSecretary.
First
Douglas.
R. Carnegie.
Archivist.
Councillor
(Sulina).
APPENDIX
85
IV
The Navy
Cruiser.
is
composed of
Elisabetha Displacement,
:
1,320 tons
4 six-inch
4 six-pounders
guns,
torpedo
tubes, 4 18-inch.
Displacement,
600
ROUMANIA
86
tons
speed, 14 knots
guns, 3 4-7-
Destroyers.
Speed, 35 knots
7 12-pounders.
Torpedo Boats
Naluca,
armament, 2
4-inch,
Naluca class).
Speed 21
Smeul
(3 of
Shorul,
knots.
Roumanian
fits
him
to
become
87
French model,
mostly guided by the
French Military Training
and the
officers are
of the
School of St. Cyr.
The reputation of the Army, however,
dates from the part taken at Plevna, in
1877, when its total strength was about
In 1914 the Army on a peace
50,000.
footing consisted of about 100,000 of all
ranks, 25,000 horses and 650 guns, with
an annual recruitment of 50,000. In the
second Balkan War (1913), although there
was not any heavy fighting, there was a
very effective and rapid mobilisation.
As much munition has been received from
Britain and France, the Ai'my, together
with the Militia and the Reserve, should
number between 550,000 and 600,000 and
on a full levy could be increased to 800,000.
rules
'
POSTSCRIPT
People in this country are only beginning to realise that the operations of war
are as important in one field as in another.
All the talk about a decision in the West
should not blind us to the importance of
operations in the East. Those persons
who thought that Roumania had waited
until the end before joining the Allies
should now be beginning to see that the
part she has taken is not such a simple
or easy one as they had imagined. The
Germans may be foolish enough in some
respects, but our Allies agree that their
military organisation and their generalship
are not to be lightly regarded.
The
Berlin-Baghdad conception of the German
Emperor is ambitious, but it is not therefore foolish
and it has not been proved
that our enemies have over-estimated the
importance of victory in the East indeed,
more likely that we have underit is
estimated its importance. The proposal
o
89
;
90
ROUMANIA
to crush the
may
many who
91
centration
of
forces against
Roumania.
not merely the desire for venthere is the desire for profit.
If
Roumania were crushed, the way
between the Central Powers and the East
would be widened and secured, and a tract
There
geance
is
;
ROUMANIA
92
creased.
is also a moral reason.
Turkey
Bulgaria
have
blindly
trusted
and
Germany, and she cannot afford that they
should lose confidence in her any more
than she can allow her own people to have
their faith in victory shaken.
She must
prove to her own people and to her Allies
that Roumania has taken the wrong
There
side.
in
The campaign
the Dobrudja
military,
Carpathians and
meant to result in
and material advan-
in the
political,
is
price
is
worth paying.
on the Germans as
well
foolish to look
98
It
is
fools
will
all
W.
H. Smith
&
Stamford
S.E.
London,
The
Fund
iRe^itlereil).
A BRITISH
Edinburgh.
TO
M. Take
graphs
**
:
statesman, tele-
Heavy
Our wounded
require every aid, and are already returning from the battlefield
Your help
in large
numbers.
great.
The Rumanian
liberty
and
civilization
is
first
new proof
alleviate
the
sufferings
of
but will
also
ROSEBERY,
President.
THE LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Santa Barbara
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