Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1919-04-10
Pawn Of Many Wars.

National Geographic Society Bulletin.
kunania, where disorders have been
growing for the last two months until
they now are reported to have reached
the point OF a general instruction. has
been a center of European war storms for
1,O0O years.
Peter the Great once established a pro-
tectorate over the Rumanians, and Cath
crime the Great later advanced a plan for
the annexation of their territory to Rus
s!a. Fearing that such territorial expan-
sion might he a menace TO her. Austria
rersuaded Catherine to abandon that
plan.
Rumania, approximately as we now
know it. was formed from Moldavia and
wal,achia in 1861. Previously these prin-
cipalities had been under Turkish sue
rainty. following Austria's protest against
Russia's an,,exing them. Autonomy being
guaranteed by the powers which agreed
to the union OF the municipalities, follow
ing the Crimean war. Rumanians chose
an army officer, Col. Alexander Cuza, as
their ruler. His title was Alexander John
j. prince of l3umania.
mower at Bucharest decided for q change
OF rulers, there were few formalities In
yading the princes bedroom by night.
lenders OF the group presented a certifi-
cate OF ab.ication to be signed. and then
bundled him In a carriage and put him
n h0Q RI An Iva y obbCs ~ &OAttN
oe Nlapders, brother to King Leopold OF
Re,p.um. was chosen by a provisional gov
eminent. The powers, especially Austria,
protested and Prince Charles NarolD.
who had been an officer In the Frussian
army. wa substituted. He set about free
ing the country from the suserainty Of
Turkey.
When the Russo-Tufkish storm clouds
arose In 1875. Charles sought TO have the
mower. guarantee the neutrality of Ru-
mania. He failed. Then an agreement
WINS reached with Russia. Under its terms
Russian troops were to have free passage
fhrou1h Rumania, while Russia was to
roo,,ect the rights and defend the Integrity
Of Rumania.
wh.n the war began Rumania promptly
declared herself independent of Turkey.
As the war went on Russia needed help
badly and finally Ruunan!a responded to
renested appeals. Under Prince Carol,
Isa,msnian.a aud allied troops gained q de,
ct.iye but costly victory before plevna.
Rumapisn freedom was recognized in the
treaty of San etefano, and It furthermore
was stipulated that Rumania was tn get
the ewAmpy country known as pObrudja,
lying between the Danube, where 1t flows
70 the north, and the Black sea. Russia
was 10 have Bessarabia, territory claimed
by Rumania and, in part, occupied by
her.
Rumania protested bitterly against ex-
change Of the picturesque Bessarabia for
the ugly Dobrudja region. Russia threat
ened 10 dignrm the Rumanian army, ard
Prince Carol plucki,y responded that his
army might he destroyed but It never
Wonld be disarmed. The Russo-rurkish
treaty OF San stetano WAS overturned by
the congress of Berlin, but Russia's aim
In the Bessarabia was not denied. Thus
Rumania, after helping Russia in her
plight, came out of the war with less
h ~ she had when she went in.
Before Rumani. was swept into the
world maelstroin of 19l4-ls1s she Was
known as q land Of unique beauties. not
80 much on account of scenery as because
Of her quaint villages. with whitewashetl
cottages, their doors and window frames
painted in bright ccIors. and the attrac-
tive type Of Rumani3h peasant women.
The Rumanian peasant women are con-
sidered the fairest in the Balkans. They
dress deliberately, and SHOW unusual indi-
viduafity In their costumes OF many cciors.
Men and women alike wear hats in the
houEe, except when they ent. The late
dOwager queen, known Ak Carmen sylvia.
put on the native dress in order to en-
courage this distinctive costume, particu-
larry popular In the RuManian uplands.