Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-28


The official announcement from
Berlin adds the information that on
receipt of the news of Rumania's ac-
tion the Federal Council was called
for an immediate session. This may
forecast a declaration of war by Ger
many against Rumania. The constitu-
ton OF the German empire stipulates
that the emperor may declare war if
defensive, but when war is not merely
defensive he must have the consent
OF the Bundesrath, or Federal Coun-
Gil.
Bucharest dispatches received yes
terday stated that King Ferdinand of
Rumania had convened a conference
or representatives of all the political
parties, former premiers, former pres
idents of the legislative chambers,
ministers and government representa-
tlVes with the idea of ascertaining the
views of all sections of public opinion.
The Wolff Bureau. which makes the
announcement that Rumania has
cast her fortunes with the entente al
lies is a semioff1Cial German agency
which frequently is used as an avenue
for making public announcements.
Rumania is the fourteenth nation 10
join the war. Her 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 Ru-
mania's military strength, but also
to the strategic advantages of her
geographical position and the fact
that her entry into the struggle opens
TO the Russian army gateway
through Rumania TO attack the Bul-
garians from the north, while the al
lied army having its base at Saloniki
attacks them and the German allies
from the south.
Best Army in Europe
Nevertheless, Rumania's military
strength is by no means inconsider-
able. The country has population OF
6.S0O,000 and her army has been es-
timated at $4,000. It often has been
described as one of the most thorough
ly equipped and disciplined armies in
Europe, but recent information from
Bucharest has thrown some doubt
upon its quality. Lately it has been
stated that Rumanian officers are ILL
trained and undisciplined. that Ru-
mania has no heavy artillery and that
its flying service is inferior. Some ad-
Nocates of Rumania's participation in
the war have asserted that she could
mobilize as many as 100000 men.
The mobilization of her army has
neen In progress for months and a few
days ago was reported to be complete.
The motive which prompts Rumania
10 enter the war is the satisfaction of
her national aspirations" described
by Take Jonescu, the Rumanian lib
eral leader, as the policy Of national
instinct" Concisely this means ma
tional expansion. In the southern
half Of Bukowina, the Austrian crown
land, the Rumanians are the donli-
nant race. The mass of the people of
Eastern Pennsylvania, a part of Hun
gary, is Rumanian by race and lam
guage. It is said 100000 Ruman-
ians live in Pennsylvania
Rumania has been credited with a
long cherished ambition to annex
these provinces and at the same time
'Hberate" the Rumanians now under
Austrian domination. Recently it was
reported Russia has offered Czernowitz
to Rumanla as reward if she would
unite with the entente.
Rumania also CoVets Bessar bia. the
extreme southwestern province of
Russian. on the Black Sea. which was
taken from her by the Berlin treaty of
1878. Reports have stated that Rus
sla also has consented TO restore Bes-
sarabia as a war price, with its popu-
lauon Of 1000, 900, mostly Rumanisp
and an area of 10000 square miles
This with Pennsylvania would give
Rumania a total population approach
ing 100000 and should ali her as
pirations be satisfied territory as
great In area as that of England,
Scotland and Wales.
May Pour Through Passes
Rumania has a border line as long
as the whole Russian western war
front on which to choose her point of
military attack. In what direction her
nrst blow might he aimed is only in