17 MAY 1924, Page 2

The King and Queen of Rumania have been popular figures

in London during the week, and we hope that they have found their visit as agreeable as the whole nation desired that it should be. Behind this royal visit there are rumours of the intentions of the Rumanian Government with regard to a loan. Rumania might get money from us, or she might get it from France. To judge from the experience of the past few years, France's terms would be arduous and would exact certain military obligations from Rumania. From that point of view it is desirable that Great Britain rather than France should lend the money. But if we lend it, what would the present Rumanian Prime Minister, M. Bratianu, do with it ? He has been talking lately of reorganizing the Army and asserting the Rumanian claim to Bessarabia. We heartily agree that Rumania ought to have Bessarabia, but Englishmen would not willingly put up money for indefinite military purposes, or indeed for any military purposes, so long as justice could be obtained in any other way.