Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-04
Commerce of the Danube River and Its Peace Status
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

E7HE commerce of the Danube Is
becoming one OF the factors of
Ill the world war settlement. Pres
x ident Wilson's pronouncement
for the freedom of the seas started
discussion as to the free navigation OF
the great rivers of Europe.
The Danube, with its commerce. is not
the only stream involved. but it hap
pens to be one of the most puzzling.
The commerce of the Danube is both
international and local. That is why
so many uncertain elements are In
volved in it.
The Danube is what is known in
diplomacy as a vexatious river. 1t
has as many mouths as the Amazon.
but that is not the main cause OF the
trouble From its source in south Ger
many, the traffic of Germany, Austria
and Hungary, Serbia, Rumania and
even of a small section of Russia floats
up and down it
Three capitals - Vienna, Budapest
and Belgrade-are situated near its
margins. Since Hungary is part of
the Austrian empire. Budapest per-
haps might be eliminated were it not
that the commerce of Hungary. which
the Danube carries, is in many respects
distinct from that of Austria. AS for
Serbia, Belgrade is more a political
than a commercial capital. yet Serbian
trade, Notwithstanding that the Danube
merely fringes its borders, has a def
mite interest in this fuvial artery.
Rumania has as great an interest as
Austria-Hungary. By length, one
third of the Danube is within its bor-
ders. In peace times the commerce OF
the river is both local and interna-
tional. Bavaria, at its source. does not
derive so much local advantage as
does the whole of south Germany OBJ
tain general benefit For Austria and
Hungary, however, there Is very
large local traffic, and the same is true
of Rumania. A considerable portion
of the agricultural crops of Hungary
and Rumania are transported over the
Danube. Much of the Rumanian wheat
and other agricultural products md
their way out through the Black sea
It Is the import commerce, however.
which is likely to become an interna-
tional issue in the war settlement. At
one time two-thirds of the foreign traf
mated in England. This gives side
light on the extent to which British in
terests enter into every phase of the
war.
tapping the Danube at various points,
commanded an open market in Serbia
and Rumania, but England, with the
advantage OF cheaper freight rates
which ocean traffic always affords.
could meet Germany on even terms in
the Rumanian markets. Even the
United States could ship agricultural
implements through the Danube into
Rumania.
Russia's control at the mouth OF the
Danube was strategic rather than COM
mercial- After Russia took fertile
Bessarabia away from Rumania, and
compelled Rumania to accept the bar
rem Dobrudja compensation. Rus
sian political interests were fairly Sc
products have their natural outlet
through Odessa, so that the commercial
situation is not important, but the
strategic situation was one of great i'm
portance.
Rumania was allowed control of one
hank at the mouth. which was suffl-
Gent for trade purposes. and interna-
tionally gave her a certain hold on the
import commerce of the Danube. but it
was subject to the superior force of
Russia. When British policy was to
keep Russia from getting control of
the Dardanelles. the situation as to
Russian control at the mouth of the
oduuDo OCCdSlCndiiy DeCdH1e acute DuC
IT never precipitated rupture. All
that England wanted was free access
to the great river. and she got 1t on as
good terms as any other country with
out Russian interference
Whenever the war shall end, the
commerce of the Danube will be one of
the questions of great interest to Eng
land on account of her trade. Acting
IN concert with Russia, instead of in
antagonism, as during the past, doubt
less she will be able to enforce her
commercial rights in any peace settle
ment that may be made.
Were Rumania likely to have any say
in the matter. the failure of the allies
TO help her in her military extremity
would not be apt to create a favorable
sentiment toward England's commerce,
but Rumania. having mistudged her
own military strength. and possibly
also having misjudged the victor. will
not be able to say much about the
Danube in the final settlement.
The question is. how far the central
powers will be able to continue their
present advantage through the control
of Rumanian territory, including the
Danube. With ultimate victory i'm
probable. and a compromise or draw
the not unlikely solution, the interna-
tional status of the Danube becomes a
paramount question. There is at bot
tom the trade antagonism between Ger
many and England. but there are