Norwich bulletin., 1915-11-27
RUMANIA THE PIVOTAL STATE
Nation Has Resources In Men and Material Out of Proportion to Size.
Especial to The BulletinN

Washington, D. C., Nov. 26.-"Ru- mania, continually in the public eye as a possible factor in the world-war
 whose resources both in men and ma teriaIs give this little nation a mili- tary importance out of proportion to its size and fame. is described in a study, "Rumania, the Pivotal State" prepared by James Howard Gore for the National Geographic Society. The bulletin describing the strength and organization of Rumania reads as fol-
 lows:
 The Rumanian lands-composed of the two principalities, Moldavia and
 Wallachia-first found freedom from
 the Turk in the treaty of Paris, sign
 ed in 1856. They were united in gov
 ernment almost from the start; and,
 under the rule of their second Prince,
 Charles of Hohenzollern, a vigorous
 spirit of nationalism was instilled in-
 to all classes, and, after the defeat of
 the Turks at Plevna by their soldiers the little principality was recognized
 as a kingdom. The present king is a
 nephew of Prince Charles, and he
 rules over a land of 53,4S9 square
 miles, or one slightly greater than England and Wales and only little less than Massachusetts, and New York combined. Within this terri i tory, there were, according to the last
 census, 7,50s,0 900 inhabitants, giving a | density of population slightly greater than that of Maryland.
 ''The fields of Rumania are very fertile, and many conquerors have
 quarreled over the division of its soil.
 Its system of land ownership Is com plicated, but, in general, it may be
 said that out of 33,000,000 acres of
 arab1e land the small farmers have a
 large proprietors have 13.O00.OO0 and
 the state 6,000,000. The lands owned | by the state, known as Grown do- | mains and consisting of 12 estates, exercise great influence as model es- | establishments. In all departments, | conservation of natural resources is l taught by precept and example, and | forestry, which was a hobby of the l late king, found quick response from | the peasants, who affectionately called
 the oak their brother and the elm | their cousin. Lumber, in various | forms, ranks fourth in the list of
 Rumania's exports.
 Progress has been steady and rapid in Rumania, and one may find | villages of peasant farmers that can essentially an agricultural state, and | the rich soil insures a good return for | the peasants labor. It is said that there are estates which, although long under cultivation without sim i gle maturing, continue to yield twen- | 1 tracts more scientifically handled, produce as much as thirty six bushels to the acre. It is because of this fer 1 tiltty that the Danubian states rank ] with Russia, Argentina, and the Unf- i ted States as the chief wheat grow ] ing countries on the globe. 1 Crop failures occasion general dis tress, as S6 per cent of the population depend upon agriculture; and Ruman- ia will continue to be subject to econ | OT fr 6 .I<z,1- l1xay oC he 0-
 mains exclusively upon the wealth of | her harvests. Indian corn is one Of l the staples of her peasants tables. The Runanian farmer is quite su- perstitious, and, in his agricultural endeavor, makes use of a number of signs in which not only the moon, but all nature. takes part. Thus, when | the sparrows ffutter about, chirrup- | ing; when the cattle show nervous
 restlessness- and the forest gives forth