South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-20
RUMANIAN CITY
DOOMED BY WAR
Population of JaSSy Increased
Four Times When Capitol
is Moved There.

JASSY, Roumania, Correspond
ence), Jan. 19.-Few cities in Eu
rope have been more profoundly
affected by the war than the little
city of Jassy, now the provisional
capital Of Roumania. From a quiet,
tranquil municipality with a popu-
lation of less than 5000. the place
has suddenly grown TO such proper
tons that the government authori-
ties have found il difficult TO pro-
vide comfortable living quarters for
the civil population, which now
mum bers over 100000.
After the evacuation Of Bucharest,
this modest little city became almost
over night the home Of the king and
queen and the seat of the entire
government. Here also are located
the legations of all friendly foreign
governments and the headquarters
Of the Roumanian army and Of i'm
portant divisions Of the Russian
forces.
Before the war Jassy was known
chiefly as the ancient capital OF the
province of MOldavia, and as a city
of interesting churches and historic
associations. II is now the center of
all official. commercial and military
activity in the unoccupied territory
of Roumania. When Bucharest and
the southern portion Of the little
Latin kingdom were evacuated, a
large part Of the population of that
section sought refuge here. Schools,
colleges, churches. stores, barracks
and indeed any form of structure
that afforded shelter, had to be
converted quickly into living quar-
ters to provide for the great influx
of homeless people who fed before
the invading Germans. Provision
had also TO be made for the various
departments of the government and
for the many branches of the army.
Many Interesting Features.
To the American observer the city
presents many features of uncom-
mon interest. Along the main streets
are 10 be seen great thrOngs of
Roumanian. Russian, French and
Serbian officers or soldiers. in uni
forms so varied in color and pattern
that all strict standards OF uniform
ity seem to be sacrificed to utility
and comfort. Here and there an
American Red Cross officer in his
distinctive garb of yellow gives add
ed color 10 the animated scene.
Mum berless military automobiles,
bearing generals. colonies or other
officers on important missions, dash
back and forth at feverish speed.
Scores Of motor lorries, laden
L.
their numbering way through the
streets, with utter disregard to the
comfort Of pedestrians. Now and
then a Red Cross motor ambulance, |
fresh from an errand of mercy to |
the front stops in front Of a hospi- /
tai and discharges its burden of /
sick and wounded In a few min /
utes it is off again TO the rear-line /
trenches TO gather another batch of /.
the country's crippled soldiers.
Marching up a side street, under |
guard. is a large number Of Austrian 4
and German prisoners, just in from !
the front, some of them ragged. |
thin. unclean and disheveled, but /
all apparently happy at being re-
lieved from the hardships of war /
In another section OF the city, &C |
cOmpanied by several armed sol |
diers. is a small company OF de- |
serters or slackers. most OF them /
detected and spiritless. with crowds I
of curious onloOkers commenting /
derisively on the lack Of courage /
which made them seek freedom /.
from military service.
At the railroad station a long !
train of cars enters, bearing hun
dreds Of Roumanian Transylvanians |
captured by the Russians from the .
Austrians and now turned over to /
the Roumanian military authorities /
for service under the ROumanian /
flag The men seem happy at the /
prospect Of serving the country of 4
their nativity, but are conscious OF /,
the grim fate that awaits them il /
taken prisoners by the Germans or /
Austrians; for If retaken by the /
Teutenic forces they will be sum- !
marily shot as traitors.
Residence of Royal Family.
Not far from the center Of the |
city are the residences of the king !
and queen, which in times Of peace /
were the QudAAtlS VI lllliAAdIA NUIll- /
panies. In keeping with the tendency /
OF the times. they are severely plain |
in all their appointments and sur
rOundings, and il is difficult for the /
visitor 10 realize that within the /
plain. rude walls are housed the /
sovereign heads of a nation The /
queen may be seen almost any day
setting out from the royal residence /
in an automobile. unguarded. and \
attended only by one OF the ladies' /
in-waiting from the court. The king |
likewise is a familiar figure on the \
streets of Jassy. He usually travels 4
by motor. accompanied by one Of \
his generals or military aides. The /
royal family is much loved by the 4
people. and both he and the queen I
mingle among their subjects with a 4
spirit Of democracy and catholicity
that is deeply impressive TO the /
visitor from other countries.
In the poorer quarter OF the \
provisional capital is a large public |
market-place where hundreds of /
farmers and peasants gather daily /
20 dispose OF their meagre wares. |
OF most striking interest perhaps is |
the fact that the ordinary method /
q having for goods with money has !