THE WORLD WAR: PERIOD OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY 739



newspaper "extras" this morning; but in official circles,-though
they
do not seem prepared at the Foreign Office to guarantee the fact,-
Roumania has also declared war on Austria-Hungary. This act has
been expected on her part for some time; but it was not believed that
she would take the step until a few days later. However, it seems
to be thought that the Allies have come to some sort of an arrange-
ment with Italy and with Roumania also which has brought both
of these countries to take the step which the Allies have been pushing
them towards so long.
  According to rumour, another movement of importance is in the
air and apparently imminent: It is said that there is expectation in
circles usually well informed that Bulgaria will soon be induced to
make a separate peace. If so, I fancy that it will mean that some sort
of assurance will have been given to her, guaranteeing to her a con-
siderable part of what she went to war for.
  Greece, for the present, seems to be regarded by the Allies as almost
a negligible quantity. She has been forced by the Allies to de-
mobilize and since their apprehension that she might attack them in
the rear should they move forward against Bulgaria, has been re-
lieved, they appear to pay little attention to her. I understand that
it is thought that at the approaching election Venizelos will have a
slight majority, though the army and the pro-German element are
bitterly hostile to him at present. However, his chances appear to be
improving and if he comes into power, Greece may be able to make
better terms with the Allies than appear probable at present.
  On the whole, the Allies appear to feel that they are in a much
more promising situation than they were a short time since.

  I am much interested in the American news; though it is exasperat-
ing to find it so stale when it arrives, I read it with avidity. It all
depends, it seems to me, on whether you can carry New York by a
sufficient majority to bring Connecticut and New Jersey along also.
  I have just written the President a long letter containing a sugges-
tion which I hope he may find practical. Mr. Lincoln did it and Mr.
Roosevelt did it also in a different way, and I do not see why he him-
self may not make an appeal in the form of a letter directly to the
people, setting forth simply what his Administration has accom-
plished.
  However, you will all know better than I what is necessary to do,
and the way to do it.
  Believe me [etc.]                         THos. NELSON PAGE