It is stated with some energy that although the Roumanian
Government professes neutrality in the expected war, it will really join Austria-Hungary, and has, in fact, already acceded to the League of Peace. This is probable, as the Government has never forgiven the conduct of Russia in taking away Roumanian territory after Roumanian troops had assisted in the redaction of Plevna. Moreover, King Charles is favour- able to the design of a Balkan Federation under the pro- tection of Austria, and in the event of Germany joining in, would certainly not fight against his own House. He
cannot, from the geographical position of his territories, remain neutral. It is to be noted that the Slavophil opposition to his Government, especially in Moldavia, is becoming bitter, and is represented in the telegrams as assuming " an anti-dynastic form." This is unlikely, as there is no Pretender, and the troops believe in King Charles ; but if war is coming, we shall hear of serious attempts to undermine his authority. The War Minister, on asking for a vote of 60,000,001 fr. to be spent on war preparations, was attacked with savage violence in the Chamber, and the Ministers were openly accused of wanting to steal the money. Nobody believed that, but it expressed the party hatred.
