Such an understanding would mean that Turkey would be drawn
more closely into the orbit of Germany and Austria- Hungary, for a Hohenzollern site on the throne of Rumania, and his country has long been attached unofficially to the Triple Alliance. The statement that Turkey and Rumania have made a military Convention is therefore only another way of repeating the reports as to an extension of the Triple Alliance so as informally to include Turkey. We can under- stand the attractions for the Young Turk officers who dominate the Turkish Government of feeling that they have the great strength of the Powers of Central Europe at their back, but the disadvantages would be very serious. Russia would be provoked, and every Balkan State would feel that a new danger threatened it. The normal unrest of the Balkans would be greatly aggravated. We trust that the announce- ment by the Matt* may turn out to be an overstatement, and that Turkey may keep clear of highly invidious Agreements.
