"The struggles which Roumania has had to endure during the last few months, and has yet to endure, are, beyond all comparison, more serious than those at Plevna and Widin. To issue victorious from them will be far more honourable to my country than the laurels gathered on the battlefields of Bulgaria! It is pitiful that Europe should force a young and energetic State, which has shown its power and vitality in a bloody war, to cede a province. The Berlin Congress might return to Russia what the Treaty of Paris took away, but it wounds us deeply that our independence, achieved on the battlefield, should be made contingent upon the cession of Bessarabia, and much patience and moderation are necessary to allow such a course to be adopted. We shall, however, show the Powers that we know how to extricate ourselves with honour from the worst situations.
"As soon as the Articles referring to Roumania became known, the greatest consternation arose, and even the most peaceful of the people declared they would rather not acquire independence at such a price. I convened a Council of Ministers and conferred with a few political leaders, advising the greatest care, since a hasty step might bring the country into extreme danger. Europe has need of peace and insists on it; it will not, therefore, be content with half measures, but will execute the resolutions of the Congress by force. After their first anger had been subdued, people here became more reasonable, and recognised that it was impossible to resist the whole of Europe.
"We closed the Chambers, and decided to allow the Russian occupation of Bessarabia to approach. We shall then avoid any record in writing, withdraw our officials, and admit a fait accompli. When this painful affair has once come to an end, we must find a modus vivendi with Russia, in order to be able to regulate a multitude of details without hindrance. All this will, however, be effected by the Administration; Crown and Chamber are not to take any part therein.
"The territory on the right bank of the Danube is not given to us in exchange for Bessarabia; we take it simply as a war indemnity, and because Europe gives it to us. We have thus gained very much both morally and materially, and no one can refuse us their respect. The districts promised us by the Congress have a great future, and in a few years I hope to raise them to a flourishing condition. Their inhabitants think themselves fortunate in being connected with Roumania, and have already sent me many addresses, to which, up to the present, I have not replied.
"Küstendje is a beautiful port, and, like the railway to Tschernavoda, was constructed by an English company. A few good hotels and installations have been made there for sea bathing. The situation is healthy."
About this period the Prince received the following letter from Prince Charles Anthony of Hohenzollern:
"The whole strength of the nation must now be concentrated on the acquisition of the Dobrudscha and the economic and political tasks which have arisen there.... A reconciliation with Russia may perhaps prove the most urgent duty of self-preservation."
On the anniversary of Grivitza Prince Charles addressed a cordial telegram to the Czar, receiving in turn a very hearty reply.
After the army had been placed on a peace footing, and the Russian troops had quitted the country, Prince Charles devoted himself to the task of carrying out the conditions imposed by the Berlin Congress. Since Article VII. of the Roumanian Constitution stipulates that only Christians can become citizens, a Constituante had to be convened at Bucharest, in the hope that the alteration of the Constitution would secure the necessary two-thirds majority.
The Ministry decided about this time to request Prince Charles to assume the title of Royal Highness, as being more suitable to the ruler of a country which surpassed many a European kingdom in point of area and population. The Powers immediately recognised the new title, whilst Prince Charles Anthony was of opinion that it would have been better to follow the example of Belgium, and assume the royal dignity forthwith.
Towards the end of September the Chambers assembled to recognise the Treaty of Berlin, which, after many violent speeches, they managed to do just one day before the cession of Bessarabia, the resolution being worded as follows:
"The Chamber of Deputies has taken cognisance of the dispositions made by the Treaty of Berlin regarding Roumania. Compelled by the decision of the Powers, and in order not to be an obstacle to the consolidation of peace, the Chamber empowers the Government to comply with the universal wish of Europe by recalling the civil and military authorities from Bessarabia, and taking possession of the Dobrudscha, the Danube Delta, and the Serpents' Island. The other questions will be settled by constitutional methods."
The Russian occupation of Bessarabia passed off uneventfully; the Roumanian officials retired without a word, and Prince Charles was spared the pain of signing his name to any document in connection with the cession. A marked contrast to this was afforded by the Austrian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which encountered violent resistance, and was accompanied by much bloodshed.