Published by "Viața Romînească" and "Seara", Bărbulescu's political essays caused public outrage by questioning the motives of Romanian nationalists. He was largely silent after declared war on the Central Powers, but returned to prominence after her surrender in April 1918. With a Germanophile triumph apparent, he was elected dean, became editor of the newspaper "Iașiul", and served for several months as a Conservative in the Senate of Romania. He was demoted, and narrowly escaped being laid off, following the Armistice of November. Bărbulescu returned to his research, for which he was rewarded with a membership in the Czech Society; he was nevertheless defeated in his bid to become a full member of the Romanian Academy, attributing this failure to political resentments and a Masonic conspiracy.