Word: bessarabia
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Military preparedness against threats from the north and east is, for King Carol, no more important than lining up his neighbors on the west and south. For Rumania was a gainer by the last war. Not only does Russia want back Bessarabia, but Hungary wants back Transylvania, Bulgaria wants back Dobruja-Rumania's northeast, northwest and southern provinces. Security against his Balkan neighbors until after the Red menace is past is the object of King Carol's earnest conversations with Regent Prince Paul of Yugoslavia and of next month's meeting of the Balkan Entente (Rumania, Yugoslavia...
...military reasons Rumania anticipates attack from across the Dnestr near Cernauti (see map) rather than from Odessa into Bessarabia. (In Bessarabia there are too many swamplands to cross.) There are now 18 Rumanian divisions massed around Cernauti as against four in Bessarabia, which Rumania might even yield under stress, taking her stand along the River Prut. But meantime Rumania is frantically strengthening her positions from the Black Sea, along the entire length of the Russian border, and back along the entire length of the Hungarian border-honor among Balkan nations cannot be trusted...
...that was before Finland. Last week the defense picture completely changed. The General Staff poured troops back into Bessarabia and rushed construction of border fortifications. King Carol took Premier George Tatarescu and most of his Cabinet by special train on a four-day Bessarabian inspection trip. In Chisinau, capital of the province, leaders of the Rus sian, Ukrainian and German minorities were brought around to meet His Majesty. They swore : "We pledge our lives for our beloved Rumanian fatherland...
...Epiphany, when Rumanian Orthodox Church bishops "bless the waters," Carol spoke. He virtually dared Stalin to cross the border. "When I set foot on the soil of Bessarabia, I feel I am entering not a country which has been attached to Rumania, but a country which was, is and always will remain Rumanian territory," said the King...
...Rumania will fight as one living wall if we are invaded. Bessarabia will always remain Rumanian by the force of our arms." Such words from the cautious Rumanian monarch came as a sensation to the scared Balkans. Carol had got so cocky that it was evident he had assurance of support from Britain and France, if not from Turkey. Meanwhile...