The death of M. Jonel Bratianu, the powerful and wayward
Prime Minister of Rumania, was quite unex- pected. As the creator of a nation-wide class of peasant proprietors, he might well have been much more popular than he was. He was, however, arrogant towards his opponents, and the racial minorities in Rumania, par- ticularly the Hungarians, had some cause for their indignation against him. A few months ago one might have thought that Rumania would be unable to get on without his highly resourceful leadership, but the events of the past few weeks have ironically brought it about that his death has eased the situation. When he put Prince Carol's emissary, M. Manoilescu, on trial he evidently hoped finally to prevent any attempt that the undesirable Prince might make to snatch away the throne from his own infant son. Contrary to all M. Bratianu's expectations, M. Manoilescu was acquitted. This result put new heart into the Opposition, and if M. Bratianu had lived he would have found it more difficult to rule than ever before. He has been succeeded as Prime Minister by his, brother, M. Vintila Bratianu, who is said to be willing to conciliate the Opposition.
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