THE RISE OF ROUMANIA

Roumania has emerged from the war with nearly double the territory and the population with which she entered it. The old Russian province of Bessarabia which has been actually a consenting part of the Roumanian kingdom for some months has now been legally recognized by the great powers of Europe as part of this nation.

Breaking her treaty with the Triple Alliance and joining the Allies in the war, Roumania was rapidly overwhelmed by Russian treachery. However, upon the abolition by the Allies' victory of the Treaty of Bucharest in which she had surrendered to Hungary certain valuable frontier districts, she came into possession of all of the Hapsburg territories which she had long desired. With these territories and the province of Bessarabia, Roumania becomes a powerful factor in the affairs of Europe.

Roumania holds this land as a result of her own efforts. They were not apportioned to her by the Allies. Because of this fact, the idea of guaranteeing her frontiers disappears, for the United States declines to commit herself, and the European powers refuse to assure the preservation of the new acquisitions.

This is one of the first practical tests to which Article X of the League of Nations Covenant has been put, and the result is far from encouraging. Roumania will soon be looking around for allies. Inasmuch as she cannot depend upon the League for protection the old system of alliances will be renewed, and the re-creation of a "balance of power" is to be expected.