Balkan Diplomacy

Jon Bratiano, paunchy Rumanian Premier, Alexander Constantinesco, Minister of Finance, and M. Atnonescu, Minister of Justice, left Bucharest for Brusa near Constantinople to negotiate with the Turks a military alliance against Russia. The parley came to an abrupt end, however, Russian influences having forced Turkey to decline a Rumanian alliance.

Rumania is at present between devil and sea. The hostile attitude of Russia toward her on account of the Bessarabian dispute (TIME, April 14) makes it imperative that she seek allies in case of Russian attack.

Czecho-Slovakia and Jugo-Slavia, Rumania's partners in the Little Entente, will aid Rumania if she is attacked by Hungary, but professed their inherent sympathy for Russia by stating that they would not help Rumania if she were attacked 'by their brother Slavs.

France, who recently approved the annexation of Bessarabia by Rumania, and who was reported to have concluded a military pact with her, has stated that she will not aid the Rumanians against Russia unless some Balkan country will give military assistance in case of Russian aggression in Bessarabia.

This leaves Rumania friendless.