Valdez daily prospector., 1915-02-13
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1915.
ITALY AND RUMANlA.

in the diplomatic situation in south eastern Europe had no corroboration in the activities of Austria and Ger many, they might be dismissed as only describing what the kaiser's op- ponents wish for, rather than what is actually taking place. This in spite of the fact that reports of Italian and Rumanian preparations for war came from many sources The con- nection between Bucharest and Rome is so intimate that the trend of at fairs in one capital must be a fair index to sentiment in the other. The loan just made by the Bank of Eng land to the Rumanian government is significant. It is hard to imagine the British government rendering finan- cial assistance to a government of whose friendship it had serious doubts. But if Rumania is gradually defining her position, it follows that Rome also must be gravitating to- wards a decision.
 The reports of intensified Ruman- ian and Italian sympathy with the Allies find partial confirmation in re- cent military developments in the eastern war area. The heavy con- centration of Austro-German troops in southern and southeastern Hun gary has more than one object. The threat of Russian invasion of Trans ylvania is one impelling cause. The intimidation or invasion of Servia may be another. But unquestionably the need of keeping an eye on Rumania is a determining factor. As matter of fact, the menace of the Russian armies to Hungary is not so press ing as is sometimes made out. If the czar's armies have been unable to force their way through the Carpath- ians from northern Galicia at points comparatively near to the Russian center of concentration, it is not like ly that the Russian armies on the eX- treme left in Bukowina would ven. ture, or venture with success, on any ambitious plans of invasion Neither is a second invasion of Servia de- manded by the military situation, however much the prestige of Aus tria may call for such a move. A great Austro-German army in Trans ylvania is primaily intended to make Rumania think twice before joining with Russia. This object may be pursued by the Austro-German forces at the same time with the pro- lection of the Hungarian frontier and the holding of the line of the Danube against any attack by the Servians. The massing of troops against Rumania is, therefore, indi- rect confirmation of the latter's steady swing towards the Allies.
 Can Austria and the kaiser pur- chase Italian neutrality? Not if the q aspirations credited to Italy are true. Italian ambitions, as described in Ru- manian newspaper sources, extend 70 the acquisition of the Trentino. Istria, Trieste, Plume, and northern Dalma- tia. with Avlona at the outlet of the Adriatic. These are terms which Austria manifestly cannot accept It is not only that the loss of territory in square miles would be great, but l that Austria-Hungary would definite 1 ly eliminate herself as naval power and maritime nation. The surrender of Trieste, her only great conner i cial harbor, the surrender of Istria with the naval harbor of Pola, the surrender of the only Hungarian sea- port, Plume, are concessions which only an Austria beaten down to her knees would agree to, if then. It would certainly be odd if war orig mating ultimately in Austrian ambi tions for a direct outlet on the Med iterranean by way of Salonica should be continued by Austria at the price of a complete abandonment of the outlets she now holds on the Adriat ic. For Italy to formulate such de mands would be tantamount to a dec laration of war.
 And if Italy does entertain such aspirations, to war it must come Only the requirements of propriety will dictate that the formal casus bel Ii be found elsewhere. This. as al ready intimated, may be supplied by Turkey. With Constantinople a quar- rel may easily be found. Events may .Iyet prove that the introduction oi