The Roumanian peasant insurrection, which began in the North of
Moldavia early this month, has been acute during the week. Although Moldavia has become comparatively tranquil, Wallachia, whither the rising has spread, has been given over to pillage and massacre. Even here, however, the promises of reform by the King appear to be having a moderating effect. At first the insurrection was purely agrarian, the peasants wishing to free themselves from the extortions of the middlemen. But since then there have been indications, according to the Times correspon- dent in the Balkans, that a widespread organisation is at work. Destruction rather than looting or personal revenge seems to be the motive, and townspeople have joined the peasants. Country houses and farms have been burnt freely, and the devastation is all the greater because the harvest of last year remained partly stored on the spot. Troops and artillery are ranging the country, and Conflicts have been numerous. The troops so far have all remained loyal. The reforms offered include the abolition of middle- men on all estates belongings to the 'Government and public bodies. It will be more difficult to touch private landlords, who let their properties to Jewish middlemen, and ge away to see life or to intrigue at Bucharest.
conditions in Roumania, are a nightmare of absentee land- lordism. A state of siege has been declared by both Houses, and the Seesion has been ended.
