Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-29
Italy anil KOIu,aniu

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N tra-Hungary. following so closely Italy 8
denunciation of her strange peace with Ger
many. must carry terror to the hearts OF the
central powers. In this new accretion to al
lied strength as well as In this new mani
festation of allied solidarity. they can read
the handwriting on the wall.
Roumauias step is not only an act of war
hut act of Judgment 1t expresses the
conviction of Roumunian statesmen that the
cause or Germany and Austria Hungary Is a
losing cause. and that Roumanian aspira tons
can be realized only through adherence to
the allied cause. Roumania. in the midst OF
this great struggle. had never been in
heroic mood Her diplomacy has been
frankly ntilitarian She could not afford a
mistake. for the example made Of Serbia was
too reccn: and too terrible. She realized she
must unsheatho the sword only when victory
was nearly or quite certain.
1t is likely that Italy's formal rupture with
Germany was part of the agreement made
with Rcnmana. for Roumania would not
brave the fury or Berlin without knowing the
whole force of the entente powers would be
eSerted i'll her behalf. That assurance given.
she takes herself the final step
And yet Italy. even had Roumana remained
a!oot from the struggle must have acted as
she has done. The position she has assumed
was too unstable and too homogeneous to last
1t was never possible-save on the assump-
ton OF struggle briefly ended-for Italy to
maintain her anomalous peace with her
former friend and ally. Soon or late the
positive md final break had 20 come
In bringing on the declaration at this time.
Trieste and the Balkans loom large. There
have been many statements from allied and
neutral sources that Germany would assist In.
and perhaps assume direction OF. the defense
or the Austrian port. while the fighting in the
Balkans rapidly takes on al aspect not to be
reconcieG with pretense OF amity between
Germany and Italy. Not only have Italian
troops been landed at Saoniki. to fight with
French and British Russian. Serbian and
MonteneGrin forces against Germans, Aus
TRANS. Bulgars and Turks, but the Italian
army in Albania must soon be called on for
cooperation. Yesterdays reports tell Of
the extension of the Bulgarian right wing into
Albania. and as German troops are operating
with the Bulgars. the 10000 or 10000
Italians said TO be in Albania would be prac-
tically valueless unless Germany also were to
be held an enemy
OF the military aspects of the new situation
no one can speak with precision Roumania's
strength will be eXerted primarily to assist
the Russian onslaught in Galicia and the
Bukowina and the allied thrust northward
from Salonik Buga ria. with her armies ex-
tended over broad arc from the Aegean
nearly to the Adriatc. may find her center
pierced by General Sarrais upward thrust
and caught in the rear by the Roumanian at
tack Meanwhile, the Italians in Albania will
have an unrvaled opportunity to fall on the
Bulgar flank.
The next few days will bring Developments
OF the largest importance. Should Greece,
as now seems likely throw her armies into
the scale with the entente, it is conceivable
the outcome will be much earlier peace
than any of us have been inclined to expect