Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-09-30

leaving his sovereign in ignorance
concluded treaty of neutrality witt
Russia. After the fall of Przemys
he thought the time had come tc
reach an understanding in regard tc
pay for Judaslike treason, but the ne.
gotiations failed. Russia desired tc
! increase its own vast territory by
taking Bukowina, while Roumanis
not only wished this Bukowina, bu,
also Hungarian territory as far as
the Thesis"
Roumania Withholds Wheat.
The chancellor said that in spite OF
this failure Roumania's policy of neu-
trality favored the entente more and
more. He said Roumania attempted
to collaborate with the British enorts
to establish blockade of Germany
withholding grain purchased by Ger
many until the grain was obtained by
means of energetic pressure. The
premier again hesitated when the CEN
trail powers, initiating the offensive in
Galicia in the spring of last year,
broke through the Russian line at
Gorlice and was in doubt whether he
had placed his wager on the right
person. Negotiations with the enten-
tie were almost suspended.
The Russian offensive this spring."
the chancellor continued, made Pre-
mier Bratiano believe he saw the
breaking down OF the central powers.
Accordingly, he decided to obtain a
share when the robbery OF the dead
body began. Furthermore, the en-
tente powers had a freezer hand in
conducting negotiations than others.
Serbia had been conquered and the
protectors Of small, feeble states were
no longer obliged to show any con-
sideration for Serbia's former wishes
in regard to annexation of territory.
They could be more liberal toward
Roumania.
Bratiano Deceives King.
I'm the middle Of August Bratiano
came to terms with our enemies. He
reserved for himself, however, the de-
cisipn as to the time actual hostilities
were to be inaugurated and attempted
to make 1t dependent on military con-
ditions. The king Of Roumania I'D to
that time had repeatedly made the
most binding assurances that under
all circumstances he would remain
neutral. Finally the Roumanian min
lister in Berlin on the order of the
king gave to me formal declaration
that the king desired to maintain
Roumania's neutrality and that the
government was in a position to do
so. Premier Bratiano declared to the
German minister at Bucharest, Baron
Won Bussche- Haddenhausen, that he
fully endorsed the declaration Of the
king. ......
However, we were not deceived.
We were informed continuously in re-
gard to Bratiano's negotiations during
August and constantly directed the
kings attention to the secret intrigues
of his prime minister. The king de-
clared several times that Bratiano
was not bound or binding himself to
the entente. As late as three DAYS
before the declaration of war the king
said to our minister that he knew the
overwhelming majority of the Rou-
manian nation did not desire war. To
an intimate friend the king declared
on the same day in the most cate
gorical fashion that he would not sign
an order for mobilization.
On August 70, the day preceding
Roumania's declaration OF war. the |
king said to the Austro- Hungarian |
minister that he did not wish war. |
! added in passing that Bratiano at |
the same time assured the Austro-
Hungarian representative that he had |
decided to maintain neutrality and
that the outcome of tho session OF the
crown council which had been called
for the following day would prove
the truth of his words.
"As late as August q the entente
powers had not decided at what mo-
ment Roumania ought to declare war.
We knew this from a most reliable
source The Roumanian army still
lacked preparedness and particularly
lacked ammunition, as was proven
later at the time Of the fall of Tur-
tukai and Silistria.
Ultimatum by Russia.
Then events were precipitated.
From information which may be con-
'idercd reliable it appears that Rus
ia suddenly presented an ultimatum
hat il would cross the unprotected
2oumanian frontier il Roumania did
lot begin war before August %.
Whether this ultimatum was a piece
If comedy prearranged with Bratiano,
n order to influence the hesitating
ding, leave undecided, but the die
vas cast.