When I arrived in Roumania a change was proceeding in the Government.  Majorescu’s Conservative Ministry gave way to the Liberal Ministry of Bratianu.  King Carol’s policy of government was very peculiar.  From the very first his principle was never to proceed with violence or even much energy against injurious tendencies in his own country; but, on the contrary, always to yield to the numerous claims made by extortioners.  He knew his people thoroughly, and knew that both parties, Conservatives and Liberals, must alternately have access to the manger until thoroughly satisfied and ready to make room the one for the other.  Almost every change in the Government was accomplished in that manner:  the Opposition, desirous of coming into power, began with threats and hints at revolution.  Some highly unreasonable claim would be put forward and vehemently insisted upon and the people incited to follow it up; the Government would retire, unable to accede to the demands, and the Opposition, once in power, would show no further signs of keeping their promise.  The old King was well versed in the game; he allowed the opposition tide to rise to the highest possible limit, when he effected the necessary change of individuals and looked on until the game began again.  It is the custom in Roumania, when a new party comes into power, to change the whole personnel, even down to the lowest officials.  This arrangement, obviously, has its drawbacks, though on the other hand it cannot be denied that it is a practical one.

In this manner the Bratianu Ministry came into office in 1913.  Majorescu’s Government gave entire satisfaction to the King and the moderate elements in the country.  In the eyes of the Roumanians he had just achieved a great diplomatic success by the Peace of Bucharest and the acquisition of the Dobrudsha, when Bratianu came forward with a demand for vast agrarian reforms.  These reforms are one of the hobby-horses of Roumanian policy which is always mounted when it is a question of making use of the poor unfortunate peasants, and the manoeuvre invariably succeeds, largely owing to the lack of intelligence prevailing among the peasant population of Roumania, who are constantly made the tools of one or other party, and simply pushed on one side when the object has been obtained.  Bratianu also, once he was in office, gave no thought to the fulfilment of his promises, but calmly proceeded on the lines Majorescu had laid down in his time.

Still, it was more difficult to arrive at a satisfactory settlement in foreign affairs with Bratianu than it had been with Majorescu, as the former was thoroughly conversant with all West European matters, and at the bottom of his heart was anti-German.  One of the distinctions to be made between Liberals and Conservatives was that the Liberals had enjoyed a Parisian education:  they spoke no German, only French; while the Conservatives, taking Carp and Majorescu as models, were offshoots