The Prince of Roumania wrote to Prince Charles Anthony:
"Although we wish to acquire the railway lines, we nevertheless feel hurt at this pressure. The Jewish question, and the purchase of the railways are two such important problems that they can hardly be grappled with simultaneously. Bleichröder's influence is evident in both affairs.
"Our relations with Russia are no better, though Schuwaloff said to my Ambassador: 'I admit that we have committed many blunders with regard to you, but remember that you have done the same with us. We have no reason to quarrel; on the contrary, at such a time we ought to be on the best footing.'
"We have little hope that the question of the Dobrudscha frontier will be decided to our advantage, since Germany is quite on the side of Russia. Bismarck is the man who deters those Powers which are not yet in diplomatic connection with us. The proposal to recognise Servia proceeded from Berlin to the other Powers, with the remark that a distinction must be made between one country that fulfils its obligations and another that seeks to avoid them!"
Prince Charles Anthony had already written as follows to his son in February 1879:
"In spite of the completed cession of Bessarabia, Russia still appears to be hostile to you, and the remainder of Europe, including the German Empire, does not take up a resolute attitude against that Power. Every step taken by Roumania, conscious of her achieved independence, is hindered and opposed! It would be desirable to put an end to your ominous Jewish question, if only to remove every pretext from the Powers."
Again, a few months later:
"There is nothing left for you but to carry through the Jewish question a tout prix, in spite of all the antipathies of the populace, and regardless of the mischievous nature of the whole measure."
The whole country, Moldavia in particular, was in a state of the greatest excitement, and on no occasion were the elections so largely participated in as those which preceded this Revising Chamber. Prince Charles, accompanied by the Crown Prince of Sweden, made a tour through Moldavia before the elections took place. The National festival, the 10th-22nd May, was celebrated with particularity and fervour in 1879. The Roumanian army presented a sword of honour to their sovereign, inscribed with the names of the victorious actions and the following dedication: "To the victorious leader in the War of 1877-78, from his grateful Army," and "Virtus Romana rediviva."
The opening of the Revising Chamber was but the prelude to a summer of violent political struggles, which kept the national feelings at a dangerously high pitch of excitement. The Ministry would not lay definite proposals before the Chambers, but seemed anxious to allow the nation to take the lead in this vital question, whilst a strong current of public feeling advocated opposition to the demands of the Berlin Treaty.