Evening star., 1928-05-20

seemed to have things all its own way.
But I asked in Bucharest, is the
Liberal party really iberal?"
"Oh. very." was the reply, toward
Liberals!"
The profits of members and friends Of
the government are not subject Of gos-
| sip in Bucharest. They are mentioned
| IN as matter-offact a manner as the
salary of bank president would be
| mentioned in New York. One of the
| richest men in Rumania. several times
millionaire Tin dollars, was presented
| with his income tax shetland taxes
are extremely high in Rumania-show-
! ing that he owed the government the
equivalent of $500. According to the
| story. he protested it-and his tax was
| reduced to almost nothing.
| The large estates were divided among
| the peaSantry. But forests were not di-
vided. And report has 1t that II a
| good Liberal planted tree in the
midst Of his wheasland 1t became a
| forest"
| Foreign capital is not Cor until re-
| Gently has not beenl permitted TO enter
Rumania. The government controls all
credit. And John Bratianu's brother.
Vintila (now premisr) was minister of
finance. with control over all bank
credit. Credit Is scarce and expensive.
It costs so per cent to 10 per cent TO
ordinary folk. Many peasants default
and must sell their land for what it viii
bring. And many Liberals find 1t pos
sihle 20 buy such land for next 70
nothing
To say all this Is not to bring any
new or unsupported charges against the
Bratianu regime, for all foreign ohserv-
erS without exception have reported the
political and economic corruption which
obtains In Rumania. The ruthleSSncSS
Of the Rumanian government in dispOS-
SeSSing and executing its enemies on
flimSy preteXtS especially in BeSSara-
hia1 and its harshness toward minori-
ties are matters Of thoroughly authenu-
Gated record.
This very profitable system, which be-
fore the war had been q matter OF gem
tlemen'S agreements. became after the
war matter OF court intrigue. To stay
in power 1t was, above all. necessary 10
know how 10 persuade the King, or
those who dominated the King.
This is where Prince Carol entered
the picture. along with Queen Marie,
and that mysterious but powerful tgure,
Prince Stirbay.
<AROL is no hero. He is no crusader
- for justice and good government.
He likes a pleasant life and admireS
pretty girl. But he is no lntriguer,
He hasn't the temperament. lie could
not and would not play the Rratianu
game.
Carol had already mortally offended
his mother. Queen Marie, by marrying
the woman of his own choice, And he
al AL kksf fNN-
tiuence which Prince Stirhay (orother- |
in-law Of Jon Brauanul eNerted over |
his mother,
There were Quarrels. Bucharest as
sertS that one day Carol. finding Stir 1
bay with his mother, said to her:
when I am king / viii send you
to a nunnery,"
The aneedote may be untrue. Yet
popular anecdotes often express the
substance Of the truth,
1t Is certain that ON one occasion
Prince Carol said to Premier Rratianu \
,brother-in-law Of Prince Stirhay and /
instigator Of the annulmens OF his
marriagel words to this egfect,
when ! become King ! win clean |
out your whole crowd"
II was war between carol and Brat |
ianu one or the other must be
crushed,
Carol worked hard in the ministry |
Of war. lie was early at his desk and /
late TO leave. Perhaps this Is not eSpe- |
eially to his credit. since he Was un- |
happy IN his new marriage, Hut his |
friend and tutor, Prof, Jorga. the most |
eminent historian Of RumAnia. has |
testified that he was faithful In his |
work,
gAsa his father. In psssaahsr. 1928.