RUMANIA'S ADVANCE IN TRANSYLVANIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2866, 2 September 1916, Page 9

RUMANIA'S ADVANCE IN TRANSYLVANIA

ENEMY SPIES DECEIVED . COMPLETE PREPARATIONS OF THE MILITARY MACHINE i < ' (By Telegraph—Pjtbss Association—Copyright). Australian-New Zealand Cable Association.' f • London, August 31. ' The Rumanians- -advance was assisted wonderfully by the. complete preparation of. the,military. machine. Tlie-' bulk of-the' troops, were not only' mobilised tut they were in 'position,,the railways. under military control, aiul the.. rolling, stock . ■.. . ' V ■ .All.was done witlib'ut. German and Austrian spies, who. were oot aware; of ; .the crisis until the declaration {of war. Tlie Casino at Sau'aia, a in the Carpathians, a few miles south of the border, was crowded on Sunday evening. The gambling rooms arid the theatre were croVded with; Rumanians, Germans, and Hungarians. Suddenly tbp'thunder'of big guns .and the sound of-rifles stopped the gay laughter. N , _■, Therc.'was a'momerit df consternation and incredulity; then the Rumanians .instinctively drew away from the Germans and Hungarians, and the Casino quickly emptied, except for, the nurses, who wore busy ■ transforming the halls into.hospital wards. ' Meanwhile guards wfere hurried to the oilfields and other danger points; enemy spies were arrested, and aliens were hurried to internment camps.

, -MEAGEE ACCOUNTS OF RUJkIANIA'S EARLY.SUCCESSES. "- London,. August 31. • - Only meagre accounts of.the Rumanian early successes have been received. Loudon has riot even received the Rumanian account of the captura of Brasso (Kronstadt), which the Austrian communique admits. Severe fight, "ing'extended from the'Tolye3 Pass to-thc Vtilkan Mountains, where, the Ru- , .!manians forced passes, in order to attack Petroseny, which is eight milos north''of-.tho.frontier. " .. ' -! " . ■ Kozdi-Vasarliely, north-east of Brasso,eighteen iiiiles from the frontier, has also, been evacuated by. the enemy. Fighting has'taken place chiefly in hills from 1500 t0,..3000-niotres' iii height. • . .-. Hungarian battalions-made.fierce attacks' on the Turnu Severiu region, with the evident-intention.of crossing tho mountains and cutting the Ru- •„ manian communications, .but they were repulsed with heavy losses. : AUSTRIANS CONSIDERING EVACUATION OF PART OF TKAN- .... ■ ' SYLVANJA.' >. .. New York, August 31. ■ Vienna newspapers announce that the General Staff is considering the I evacuation-of all South-eastern Transylvania, for the purpose of shortening the-line. -. • . . : .- . -■ . -Now. York military critics estimate that if the line is'shortened'it' must mean the abandonment of at least .10,000 square miles to. the Rumanians. .PREPARING THE .PEOPLE FOR NEWS OF RETIREMENT. . .' -, . (Rec. September 2, 0.55 a.m.) • LonrJon, September 1. Berlin, newspapers announce that, the' Rumanians are advam:K<{ "-.i Herma'nnsfadt Junction',-and: other .troops from Brasso. The Russians and ians'tfre also'.in touch inlßukowinay where thero is heavy fighting in theGvergyoer Mountains. ; German correspondents- ■ at Austrian headquarters urge' tho public not to be, alarmed'-at further retirements. They admit that the;Austrians are.'riot., now'.in.,a. condition to hold -long on tho new front, and;that further retirements'; are .inevitable. RESISTANCE OF THE ENEMY EVERYWHERE SHATTERED (Rec. September 1,-9.5 p.m.) ( ' /' • ' Rome, September 1. "The Rumanian Legation states'that the resistance of the enemy everywhere was shattered,.and thearmy penetrated 'deeply into Hungarian terri-Rejxirts-regarding the concentration of large enemy armies in Transylvania are; said .'to. b.e mere bluff. The Budapest, newspapers declare that the myadinn; forces outnumber the. Hungarians fourfold. Turkish help is practical- . ly,valueless.. . ........... A:Bucharest-message states.-that the Hungarians are. fleeing before the Rumanian, avalanche.; The Hungarians are clamouring for concentrations of Hungarian troops to defend Hungary.. The relations with Austria are approaching a crisis." "N THE INITIAL BATTLE.RAGED FOR FIFTY HOURS. (R-cc."September 1, 6.10 p.m.) ■ Rome, August 31. The-"Messageros's" Petrograd correspondent' states that the initial Ru-manian-Hungarian fighting on the youthen Transylvaniau frontier raged for fifty-hours-on a wide front. -The r,ightwing easily occupied Brasso, the centre and left-wing stubbornly resisted, especially at Yaillemento. The Rumanians forced all the -passes -and advanced, to Venistovo.. • The Hungarians violently, attacked in the Iron Gate region, and- were driven back, with -many losses. ; .. INITIAL THE ENTERPRISE EASIER THAN EXPECTED RUSSIANS HAVE COMMENCE!) TO MARCH ON BULGARIA.' •T • (Roc. September 1, 11.45 .p.m.) London, September ]. Though Bucharest telegrams are much delayed, Rome and Petrograd messages .insist on the splendid results of the Rumanian attacks. Bucharest bulletins show thatthe army. is. .already in possession of every important pa6s leading into .Traiisylvaijia. . • •The ; Rumanians, hastily descending the- Carpathians in the direction of 'Brasso, seized two-tunnels-before- the surprised Austrians were able to de-

stroy them. The advance was aided .by magnificent aeroplane reconnaissances, despite mountainous conditions. The . Austirians are poorly, supplied with .'aeroplanes. . '. i The Allies' mastery of the Danube is now complete, Rustchuk Slid other Bulgarian towns are exposed to destruction. ■ The'Austrians claim to bb defending the roa<] from the. Danube near Orsova, and the passes leading to Tcmesrar, where the Magyars are hastily fortifying the approaches. ' Elsewhere the Austrians admit withdrawing their fighting-.units; Jt is evident they arc to-hold the frontier, because .all troops are engaged in-, the Trentmo, Isonzb, and Galicia.. . _ ■ Experts point out that the natural place to defend Transylvania is the frontier, as no line further-back'gives better-advantages.- It is-believed no extensive effort will be mado to .construct defences in the interior ot Transylvania. ...... . .. - ■/-. It is evident that the initial steps of Rumania s enterprise were easier than was expected, but we must bewaro. of drawing sweepmgsconclusioiis. The greater part of / Trans.ylvania.. is a tangle of hills and woods, unfavourable for tho passage of armies. • - ' It is officially announced in -Bucharest that Russian - Allies are passing through Dobruia', where the population enthusiastically welcomed _ tliera. •The. Russian Black Sea Fleet is assisting in the defence of Rumania seathousand inhabitants'■ hurriedly..left Brasso, carrying .their valuables. When the Rumanians approached the greater part of the; population remained.: Elsewhero a largo part'of the frontier population is flying into ine interior of Hungary. • ' ■ ;' • . \ ■ Russian pontoons have already allowed many thousand Russians to commence' the march towards Bulgaria. The latter-is. delaying a declaration ot war to-gain as much-time as possible .to move trrcips to thjynorthern frontier, possibly in. the hope of a separate, peace being arrangeable by means.. ot tne good offices of the- Rumanian Government. j . . THE NEWS. IN AN AUSTRIAN COMMUNIQUE. . (Rec. September 1, 6.10 p.m.) • -. -- : : -London, August 31. -. An Austrian communique; says: "On -the heights /eastward of He-rkules-furdo, the. Rumania.ns.were. repulsed., TVe ocoupicd ..new positions . 011 th ® h? : ~hts eastward of Ozikscreda. The enemy; has developed increased artillery, activity at numerous points near, the Russian frontier. ... . . - •'. . _ f BULGARIA'S ATTITUDE CAUSING IN VIENNA (Rec..September 1, 6.10. p.m.) ■ : '• ' - • • . • Rome, August 31. ■- ■ Newspapers- state that -Austria invited Bulgaria, to declare war 'on Rumania, butj-Bulgaria, had not.replied. Her attitude is .causing . alai'm in Vienna. The Austro-German Governments, have expressed ; surprise at Bulgaria.'s.hesitation..'. ••» ... BULGARIA'S.'.POSITION TOWARDS - RUMANIA IN DOUBT. ffleuter's Telegram.) .. ....- , (Rec. September 2,. O.'oo. i'.m-.) ' -. ... . :. London, September. 1. Bulgaria's .position towards Rumania is not clear. YesterdayV Constantinople message indicated an arrangement whereby • Germany, Turkey, and Bulgaria; have.'jointly declared'war on Rumania. Though. Turkey complied,'there has bc.en.'nothi.iig-'.from Sofit or elsewhere to-show that-Bulgaria has taken such a, dangerous step.' . Now *a Berlin telegram asserts that-tnc Rumanian Minister at Sofia asked for his passports on-Wednesday evening, and-adds: "Therefore Rumania-severed diplomatic relations.. .... ... -. ■ ' --, ■ .'" DECLARATION OF WAR, EXPECTED IMMEDIATELY. / - . Australian-New Zealand Coblo Association. (Rec. September 2, ■ 0.55 a.m>) • - . ' ' London, September 1. . -The "Vossischc Zeitnng" states that the Bulgarian Minister at Bucharest, has left. Bulgaria's declaration of war is expectcd immediately. ■ . • ■ ; ■ RUSSIAN WARSHIPS IN A RUMANIAN PORT; ' (lieute'r'B Telegram.) (Rec.-September. 1, 10.45 p.m.) . Petrograd, September 1. Russian war vessels have arrived at Constanza, on the Rumanian' coast. TConstanza is connected with'the. main line of railway running through to Varna in Bulgaria.] GERMAN TROOPS SENT TO THE RUSSIAN - FRONTIER, -. . .... ' Australian-NeT Zealand Gable Association. (Rec. Soptember 1, 9.5 p.m.) V Paris, September 1. Mr. Warner Allen, British war correspondent at French Headquarters, states that Germany has dispatched to Russia nine divisions -from France, although tho'Germans; are greatly out numbered on tho Somme. GERMAN DIVISIONS RUSHED TO RUMANIAN FRONTIER. ( ■ _ London, August 31. It is reported that several German divisions, under von Mackensen, have arrived at Hermannstadt, . Apparently this is one of the. first results of. von Hindenburg's-determination to rush } enforcements/ eastward to counter the Russian and Rumanian danger.- ,- : 1 : Von Maokeiisen is .hurriedly organising the defence of' Hermannstadt,. where the guns are, plainly'.'audible. Alany'buildings have been converted into hospitals. . x ' • ' , EFFECT ON THE WHEAT MARKET THROUGH RUMANIA'S ENTRY; INTO THE WAR. '

i • (Rec. September 1, 8.30 p.m.) ' - London, September 1.. Mr. Bathgate's report on the effect on, the wheat market; as the result of Rumania's entry into the war. says: "Almost of a certainty' Russian wheat will be available in large quantities bofore the end of the season} either via Salonika or through the Dardanelles. Russia's harvest of 1916 totals ninety million quarters. In addition seventy million quarters of stored wheat will be available. America will then no longer be able to dictate to v the market." GREECE WILL ABANDON NEUTRALITY \ • • ' -KIN.Gr 'CONSTANTINE RECEIVES ENTENTE MINISTERS. • . New . York, August 31. A London message states that Athens .dispatches. ..say that Greece will abandon.neutrality within forty-eight hours.. . .. .. King Constantino.receives the Russian, French, and; British Ministers tomorrow. . '. ... ■ All the Staff officers on-holiday have been recalled. GREEK GENERAL STAFF -CONFERS• WITH- KING CONSTANTINE/ . ' ■•-, London, August 31.. ■ ■Tho-'Greek War Minister (General Callaris) and member of .the General Staff have conferred with King Constantine. "' V . : GREEK GOVERNMENT THROWN INTO CHAOS \ '.. (Rec.-Scptember 2, 0.55 a.m.) ' ,\ ■ v .■ ' ' •' New York, September 1, A dispatch from Athens states that the Greek Government .has been' thrown into 1 chaos' by the resignation' of M. Zaimis, the' Premier. The fall of the'Zaimis neutrality Government will mean-the immediate elevation' of M. Ycnizelos as : Premier, and a declaration of war against the Central Powers. GENERAL ADVANCE OF ALLIES REGARDED "AS IMMINENT .. Paris, August 31. A general Advance by. the Allies from Salonika,-.who are reliably stated to be numerically superior to the Bulgarians, is regarded as imminent. - ONLY- ARTILLERY ACTIVITY ON DOIRAN AND STRUMA ... ..- - - FRONTS; -: -London, August 31. The War Office reports that at Salonika there is only artillery activity on the Doiran and Struma frents... NO ESSENTIAL; CHANGE IN MACEDONIA. London, August 31. A Bulgarian .communique states: "There is no essential change in Macedonia. Our troops reached the positions assigned to them, and are now consolidating them.". . . ; - ' BULGARS CRTJSHINGLY DEFEATED BY THE SERBS Salonika, August 31. The Bulgarians on August 28 again assaulted the Serbian .left wing. Tlie Ostrovo battle lasted'until nightfall. Theßulgars were crushingly defeated and thrown back in disorder. ' . , . The Bulgarians arc now masters of the greater part-or Macedonia east ot the Struma. . . RETREAT FROM GREECE COMMENCED BY BULGARIANS. (United Service.) (Rec. September 1, 10.45 p.m.) London, September 1. . Mr.- Jeffries, the British correspondent at Athens, states that the Bulbars have apparently commenced, to retreat from' Greece. The Serbian cavnlrv has arrived at Sorovicevo. The enemy has been- forced to evacuateFlevis' Cald/.ilar, and Pateli. They attempted -to retake Coni'ieevo,. northeast of Banicn. hut were, driven back. It is now reported they are marching en route to Monastir.. ' BULGARIANS LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE. Rome, August 31. Vwireless message states that Bulgaria, asks the assistance' of 200,000 Turkish troops as a- condition for declaring war unou Rumania. 1 . .Salonika, August 31. ■ The Bulgars have ordered thf rreruiting- of. all men •of military age amongst the BulganaJi-speaking Turkish population. ■