Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-29

BULLETIN.
Berlin, Aug. 2S.-(Via London, 7:0s
p. m. .)-Germany has declared war on
Roumania. .ss.
Berlin, Aug 2s.-(Via London.)-.
Fighting has begun between Rou-
usanian and Teutonic troops on the
Transylvanian frontier, the ofheia.
announcement Of today indicates. The
statement says Rounaanians have
been taken prisoners.
Berlin, Aug. 27.-fVia London,)--
Roumania declared war on Austria
Hungary on Sunday evening, it is an.
nounced officially here.
The announcement follows:
The Roumanian government yes
terday evening declared war on Aus
tria- Hungary.
The federal council has been con-
voked for an immediate sitting"
Germany Will Act Promptly.
London, Aug. 28.--Germany prob
ably will declare war on Roumania
within twenty-four hours, after which
Turkey and Bulgaria are expected to
do likewise, according to dispatch
frsm The Hague to the Exchange
Telegraph company. A
A later message from the same
source says word has been received
from Berlin that the German govern
ment will hand his passports to the
Roumanian minister today.
Decision Made Sunday.
Paris, Aug. 2S.--Roumania de-
clared war against tria-Hungary
last night, says Havas dispatch from
Berne, Switzerland, which declares
that the Wolff agency at Berlin made
the official announcement.
Roumania's decision to enter the
war was reached at meeting OF the
crown council held at Bucharest yes
terday morning, says Havas dis
patch from Geneva.
Fourteenth Nation In War.
Bucharest dispatches received yes
terday stated that King Ferdinand Of
Roufnania had convened A conference
of representatives of all the political
parties, former preniers, former presi-
dents Of the legislative chambers.
ministers and government representa-
tives, with the idea Of ascertaining
the views of all sections of public
opinion. fss
The Wolff bureau, which FIRST made
the announcement that Rouniania has
cast its fortunes with the entente al
lies Is semi-ofhcial German agency,
which frequently is used as an avenue
for making public official announce
ments. SIS tfg
Roumania thus becomes the four
teenth nation to join in the war. Its
intervention either on the side of the
entente allies or the central powers
has been awaited with symptoms OF
concern by both since the beginning
OF the great conflict. This is due not
entirely to Roumanias military
strength, but also to the strategic ad-
vantages of its geographical position
and the fact that its entry into the
struggle opensSto the Russian army
gateway through which to attack the
Bulgarians from the north, while the
allied army having its base at Sa-
loniki attacks them and theit German
allies from the south.
Army Over Half Million. =
Nevertheless, Roumania's military
strength is by no means inconsider-
able. The country has a population
of 100000 and its army has been es-
timated at $4,000. Itoften has been
described as one Of the most thor
oughly equipped and disciplined
armies in Europe, but recent inforna-
ton from Bucharest has thrown some
doubt upon its quality. Lately it has
been stated that Roumanian officers
are ill-trained and undisciplined, that
Roumania has no heavy artillery and
that its flying service is inferior. Some
advocates OF Roumania's participa-
tion in the war have asserted that it
could mobilize as many as 100000
men. The mobilization of its army
has been in progress for months, and
a few days ago was reported to be
complete. ...t ~.
Wants Three Slices OF Land.
The motive which prompts Rou.
mania to enter the war is the salts.
faction Of its national aspirations"
described by Take Jonescu; the Rou-
nanian liberal leader, as the policy
of national instinct" Concisely this
means national expansion. In the
southern half of Bukowina, the Aus
trian crown land, the Roumanians are
Continued on Page Two. Column One.)