The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-09-07
Germany's New Enemies.

IL has been assumed that formal an
nouncement of state of war between
Italy and Germany would be the prelude
to Rumania's appearance in the arena
with the entente allies. The official an.
nouncement of the fact from Berlin this
afternoon, therefore, following the morn.
ing news from Rome, occasions no sur.
prise. Italy, as far as she herself is con.
cerned, merely identified an existing con.
dition. As member OF the group OF
nations opposed to Germany she paved
the way for the newcomer.
But the real causes OF Rumania's de.
cision are undoubtedly Russia's show OF
power and her success, the formidable
army assembled at Saloniki, and the
Franco British assault on the western
front. Plainly as the sympathies of her
people lay with the friends of Russia
Rumania showed in the first year of the
war that she had no intention of putting
herself in peril OF any part of the fate
that befell Belgium and Serbia. First
she must have substantial insurance
against devastating invasion That
could consist only of competent military
power actually in evidence and available
to defend her. In mere assurance of I'll.
innate success she had little interest.
Plainly this was shown only few
months ago, before the beckoning events
in northern France, in the Alpine passes,
Asiatic, Turkey, and especially in the
areas nearer her own boundaries, when,
despite the utmost persuasion of Rus
sa, France, and England, probably OF
Italy, too, she entered into commercial
treaties with Germany and furnished her
with cereal supplies at time Of great
need.
That she comes upon the lists now
signifies her belief that she may safely
embark upon the adventure. Her condi
ditions have been fulfilled A close and
wary observer Of the struggle, she has
bided her time to throw her lot with
the side she is sure will win. For the |
entente allies this is a moral victory more |
important than the capture of many |
trenches. Turkey made her choice, it is |
under pressure. Italy, though |
deliberate, was moved largely by the ma
tional feeling of hostility to Austria |
Bulgaria acted impulsively and under the
belief that Russia had been pushed back |
to stay Rumania takes her place only |
after mature deliberation and careful
examination of accomplished facts.
She brings material advantages At
east half million well equipped troops,
added to Russia's hosts at a point of
vital strategic value, constitute new
factor of real weight that lends to the
movement just beginning at Saloniki
lreadful significance for Bulgaria, now
actually between the nippers Lloyd
George spoke of. OF even greater benefit
o her allies, however is the freedom
II movement given by the opening of
borders Bulgaria may be the
victim. Deprived of effective
she may, indeed. conclude to
hange coats before the end. But the
lreat menace is to Austria now in dan
er of being encompassed on three sides,
Ter most dangerous enemy at liberty TO
inter- her territory unopposed by great ,
atura barriers. For time the new
trength may be devoted mainly to the {
ask of clearing up the Balkan situation Z
off Turkey, restoring Serbia, q
nd removing the last Obstacles to active /
Anticipation by Greece. !
But these undertakings, however diff y
ult, are merely preliminary. Austria is I
bviously the main object of attack, as 7
ne great vulnerable point in tho leu !
mic combination That objective to-
avs news brings into full view.
To Germany the decision of Rumania
IN have no element of surprise, nor is it
kelly that she is unprepared for the y
low or even for what it may portend : /,
her chief ally. All these eventualities q
,r leaders must have foreseen and taken =
count of as possibilities The real test =
the preparations they have made is
i'll to come. That these preparations
e on prodigious scale is not open to .
York Globe.