The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-29

The Russians began to make inroadl
into the Danubian principAlities siDcs
the days of Potter the Great, and al
different times they exercised almost
an absolute sway in Moldavia and Wal.
lachia, when the princes under the pro-
tectorate were called "hospodars
After the Crimean war Russia's in.
huence bsgan to wane, and in 1859 the
two provinces united and elected
Prince Conza ~ the ruler of Roumania.
On account of his gross immortality ne
was dsposed in 1856, and was succeeded
by Prince Charles Of Hohenzollern.
During the last Russo-Turkish war
the Roumanians took prominent part
They fought as allies Of Russia and at
the siege of Plevna, Prince Charles
commanded both armies. The Rou-
manians captured the first redoubt,
the Grivitzs, and thus opened the way
to the famous stronghold of Osman
Pasha. Notwithstanding their services
the Roumanians after the war gained
far less than Bulgaria, Servia and Mon
tenegro. Their complete independence
of Turkey was of course secured, | u.
in regard to the territorial aggrandize'
ment they were left in the cold. They
were even forced to cede to Russia a
part of their own territory, receiving
in exchange Dobrudjs, which was ex-
acted from the porte. This arbitrary
act lost Russia the Roumanian friend
ship-friendship which amounts to
very much, if we take into considera-
ton the important strategical position
of Roumania. The sea-way is open to
Russia, but to march her troops by
land into Bulgaria she must pass
through the Roumanian territory.
Such an act would OF course mean war
with Austria-H Hungary.
Prince Charles was crowned king of
Roumania in 1881. There is perhaps
no other ruler in Europe who enjoys
such q popularity as that excellent
prince, and surely no other princess is
SO universally beloved as his spouse,
the Queen Elizabeth known in
literature under the name Of Carmen
Sylvia. During the war the princess
worked day and night in the hospitals,
sustaining by her presence the courage
of the victims in battle and setting an
example which was followed by the
Roumanian ladies of the highest rank in
the most unself1sh manner. Day after
day she helped to bind up the wounds
herself, and did not recoil from work
of such a horrible nature at sight OF
which even men coul not help shud.
dering. When the victorious army
headed by their prince returned to
Roumania, the war song which they
sang on entering Bucharest and which
had inspired them in many battles,
was composed by their own princess.
The Roumanians are Il singularly
handsame people, dark-hsired, black
eyed, with classical features as seen on
the ancient canoes. They are verit-
able Romans not only in speech but as
we'll in face. They are very fond OF
music, song and dance, and have Pc
culiar customs dating probably from
the Roman times. Their country lie
fertile and beautiful either on the end
less plain or in the woody slopes Of
the Carpathians, their villages quaint
and picturesque, their capital, Buchar-
est. beautiful, their national dress
tasteful. The country ought to be bet
ter known, yet it ia almost terra in
cognita to the Americans. The tourists
60 seldom that way.
The world will soon hear OF Rou-
mania in the approaching strife. The
reopening Of the Eastern question, the
occupation of Bulgaria by Russia, the
partition o; the Turkish empire, in fact
everything that might happen in
Southeastern Europe will bring Rou-