Page:The New Europe - Volume 3.djvu/406

 masses of Germany and Austria, just as much if not more than to the social democracy of the rest of Europe for a common struggle to abolish the root causes of imperialism. Not until then can genuine independence be gained by Poland, or indeed by any other ‘ small nation.”

The Pester Lloyd of 7 June publishes an article entitled “What is to happen to Roumania?” by Dr. Karl Wolff, one of the two prominent Saxon leaders in Transylvania, a member of the House of Magnates in Budapest, the Chairman of the leading Saxon Bank in Hermannstadt and a recognised authority on economic, financial, and agrarian questions. The author contends that the conduct of Roumania since 1915 fully justifies the victorious Central Powers in “erasing conquered Roumania as a State from the map of Europe.” The decision must, however, depend on whether an independent Roumania would be willing to form “a barrier against Muscovite greed.”

After an historical survey designed to prove that Roumania neglected her mission of defence against the Turks, he continues: “Since France and England have conspired together to annihilate ‘Central Europe,’ Roumania has acquired decisive importance. To-day the Danube, from. its source to its mouth, from Donaueschingen to Sulina, is recognised as the supporting beam of Central European traffic. On this beam the connection with the Rhine through the Main Canal and with Hamburg and Stettin through the Elbe and Oder Canal is to be made. It is a good sign that the Bavarian Diet has passed a law for the regulation of the Bavarian Danube and of the Main, and the completion of the Danube-Main Canal to a depth permitting ships of 1,200 tons to pass. This epoch-making step will be followed by the Danube-Oder Canal, which is already planned in detail, the regulation of the Danube in Austria and in Hungary, works on the Lower Danube to open up North Bulgaria, etc. Roumania must not again be free to permit the transport and munitions for Serbia, while the same transport from the Central Powers to Turkey is prevented. The Kingdom of Roumania must not arise again as if nothing had happened, to attack the Central Powers in the rear when the temptation again presents itself. It would be suicidal folly for the Quadruple Alliance to leave the Roumanian State as a playground for the present ruling class supported by corrupt advocates and venal journalists. There is nothing for it but a military administration, both now and even after the war. When peace has been concluded it will be our task to maintain order in the country, to levy the war indemnity, carry out works of Kultur and lay a solid foundation for Roumanian society. This means the liberation of the peasant from the rule of the boyars by agrarian reforms and by the creation of a_hard-working middle class in the towns, which would gladly rally round the ‘Kultur-