Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-28
Leading Public Men Now
Think Country vii! Not En-
gage in War on Either Side.
MIGHT STEP IN AT END
TO PROCURE TERRITORY
Milits-y Situation in Europe at This
lire Considered UninViting
to the Nation.

BUCHAREST. EumaniI. February
10 by courier to Berlin, February 70,
via London. February 2S.-The chances
of Rumania engaging il the European
war On either side exist 10 longer, ac-
cording to the leaders of the rcspon-
sibIc Rumaniaa parties. though X is
not wholly out of the question at the
last minute Rumania may take part IN
the struggle to secure for herself ter
ritoria1 advantages at the expense OF
the belligerent whose defeat appears
to be certain. Until then Eutnania Will
remain neutral and. according to state
ments made and to recent develop
Incnts. will observe neutrality which
will give neither side just cause to en-
ploy military measures against her
This is the quinteSseuce of state
ments made to the Associated Press
representative in Il number OF inter
views with leaders of pubic Thought
and affairs. Those RumanianS who IN
the past have advocated action against
the central group now say that the
military situation in Europe is uninVIt-
ing to EunanianS. while IN other quar-
tiers it is still maintained that Joining
the central powers would be the best
policy for this country.
The former blamed Premier Brat1ano
for having permitted opportune mo-
ments to pass UNDECIDED. Among these,
ex-War Minister Fiiipescc. an ardent
supporter of the entente allies. is Pre-
mier Bratiano's severest critic. though
Take JoneScu. eN-mnister of the in
terror. takes Il similar stand. with the
difference that in his opinion RumanIa
may still join the entente group ad
vantageouSly. while NJ. Filipesco takes
the stand that now TINS j. impossible.
Alexander MarGhilorIau. torrIer nnance
minister. still adhercs to the position that
6 at
that logically Russia must before the end
OF the war. join the ceItra! powers if she
is not to find herself totally isolated, and
without a friend earth after the war"
Attitude One of Indifference.
Between these limits all opinion in
Rumania now osciilates. Military gains
made by either belligerents may influence
somewhat the equilibrium so established,
but in the main the general attitude now
is one of almost utter indifference. What
ever interest still is taken by Rumanans
often has an internal political color and
purpose.
1t must not be assumed, however,
that complete control III the govern
Inent by either faction would not place
Rumania on one side Or the other
Premier Bratiano on gaining the up
per hand. according to the general be
lief would throw Rumania to the en-
troll by NJ. Marehilornan would ur-
doubtedly range her with the central
powers. But the political situation in
the country. well as economic inter-
ests and the ammunition problem, all
operate toward a continuation of neu-
trality.
Meanwhile there has been a split in
the so-called federal party which con-
sists of the merging of the Jonescu
and the Fifipesco factions for the sup
port of Premier Bratianc. Several
DAYS ago NJ. Filipesco formally broke
with NJ Bratiano. SO that the latters
position as government and ca binet
mead now is considered badly shaken
Even Bratianos supporters feel that
dno'beT entente reverse OF importance
VIII cause his fan. NJ Bratiauo him
self is being quoted as sayinc that the
"irtent" on losing Saloniki t.rust expect
ftS retirement. Tho, Associated Press
representative learned on unrueSticp-
Thlc authority that such really is the
pre'nier's intention.