New-York tribune., 1914-12-23
Rumania's Settlement with Bull
earia Points to a Widening Of
the Scope of the Euro
Dean War.

The most important news from the Balkans
since Turkey entered the war is the announce
ment of a reconciliation between Rumania and
Bulgaria. Rumania, according 10 the announce
ment made yesterday by the Bulgarian Minister
in Petrograd, has agreed TO restore the territory
ACQUIRED from Bulgaria at the end Of the second
Balkan war That territory, lying south Of the
Danube River on the Black Sea coast, was taken
by Rumania in the general spoliation which fol-
lowed the defeat Of the Bulgarians by Greece and
Servia and the unopposed march on Sofia of King
Charles's army.
In the second Balkan war Bulgaria was the
victim not alone of vaulting ambition and over
confidence in her military strength but Of series
OF accidents which worked TO rob her Of the
legitimate fruits of Kirk-Killiss6 and Lule-Bur-
gas. The associates in the Balkan League
Greece, Servia Bulgaria and Montenegro-dld
not count on a complete collapse Of the Turkish
military power. Bulgaria did not expect to con-
quer Thrace Her main object was to free the
Bulgarian population of Macedonia from Turkish
oppression. Her interest lay in Macedonia, not
In Thrace and in the agreement made before the
war she was to be compensated, in case of sue
cess. by the acquisition Of the Bulgarian sections
of Macedonia. Servia, Montenegro and Greece
had expected to take Epirus, Albania and the
Saniak of Novibazar as their share Of the spois.
Bulgaria. easy victories, which carried her
armies TO the gates of Constantinople upset these
plans. The European powers were alarmed at
the stupendous success Of the Balkan League and
determined to take a hand in the partition of
Turkey. Austria-Hungary and Italy opposed Ser
Wan expansion toward the Adriatic, insisted on
the creation of the Independent Kingdom of Al
bania and forced Servia and Greece to look for
compensation in Macedonia Conditions having
been altered by outside pressure and Bulgaria
having taken possession of the greater part Of
Thrace, which she did not at all covet new deal
became necessary Yet instead Of negotiating
new and friendly settlement Bulgaria decided to
compel an adherence 10 the old settlement by
force of arms. Rumania, looking askance at an
undue ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of Bulgaria, intervened on
the side of Greece and Servia, and Bulgaria, badly
beaten, had finally to accept the hard conditions
of the treaty Of Bucharest.
If Rumania is now ready to give back the ter
because she wants to assure herself free hand
in trying to take Rumanian Pennsylvania away
from Austria Hungary Rumania and Greece
would like to join the Allies, but before taking
that step they feel it necessary to secure a guar
antee of Bulgarian neutrality. Rumania has made
GOOD part of Bulgaria's losses Greece would
not like TO give up Salonica, which is largely
n ~. 4bc D,,Ic
tions of Macedonia which she now holds would
really strengthen her. since it would be of little
advantage to her TO try TO aSsimilate obstinate
subject race alien in language religious affiliation
and sympathies.
II is the aim Of Russian diplomacy TO convince
Serva that she too would be wise TO give back
70 Bulgaria the Bulgarian districts Of Mace
donia now in her possession. Servia's natural
expansion is toward the west, and Bosnia and
Herzegovina, which are Serb provinces, would
more than compensate her for a partial with
drawal from Macedonia. Weakened as she is by
three wars in succession, Servia needs the aid of
Greece and Rumania in expeng Austria Hun
gary from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and she
should be willing TO pay the price of that aid,
which can be safely given only after Bugarias
neutrality has been thoroughly secured.
Rumanias offer to Bulgaria looks, therefore,
like the first step toward the renewal Of an un-
derstandng among the Balkan States prepara-
tory to the entry of Rumania and Greece into the
war. Balkan politics brought on the great crash
in Europe. It would be only natural for the Bal
kan States Bulgaria excepted, to take hand in
the remaking Of the map Of Europe which must
come out Of the struggle and sacrifices of the
present war.