OBSTINATE FIGHTING ON RUMANIAN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2922, 7 November 1916, Page 5

OBSTINATE FIGHTING ON RUMANIAN FRONT

ENEMY PURSUED IN THE VULKAN PASS A HINT OF THE ENEMY'S STRATEGY (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Assn. end Renter.) (Rec. November 6, 8.30 p.m.) London, November 6. A Rumanian official communique states: "We repulsed several attacks by the enemy in tho Prahova valley. The enemy in the evening succeeded in occupying part of our trenches on Mount Dihamu, north-west of Azuga. Several attacks by_ the enemy in tho Dragoslavele region, on the left bank of the Alt, were repulsed. Our pursuit of the enemy in the Vidian Pass continues, and mors prisoners liavo been taken." AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. November 6, 8.30 p.m.) London, November 6. An Austrian official communique states: "The Hungarians have captured a strong position at Clabucepu, south-west of the Predeal Bass and the Rumanian second line. Tho Rumanians have recommenced their attacks in the frontier region east of Brasso, and pressed back the Austrian front a. distance of two kilometres (1 2-3 milos), at two points." . ; THE ENEMY'S CLAIMS'. London, November 5. An official message from Berlin claims further successes beyond the Predeal Pass. GENERAL SITUATION GREATLY IMPROVED ("The Times.") London, November 5. Mr. Stanley Washburn, writing from Rumanian headquarters, states that the general situation has greatly improved, and the gravest menace temporarily'averted. The great enemy opportunity .was to inflict a disaster before the Rumanians were able to retire to the mountains, where they are better able to resist the enemy. This was partially tactically successful, but strategically it achieved nothing decisive in the field to demoralise the Rumanians, who are settling down to a stubborn defensive, and are fighting step by step in the valleys. If they are able to continue, tho enemy- should be able to reach tho interior of Rumania, or cut the north and south railroad; but it camiot be assumed that Rumania is safe until the enemy's intentions, and.its capacity to fulfil them_, are ascertained, which, probably, will not be before the cold and snow terminate this year's serious operations. The Rumanians' retreat is so slow that there is. reason to hopo their supports will arrive in time. THE ENEMY'S REAL MOTIVE V- Australian-New Zealand Cable Aseoclation. (Rec. November 6, 8.5 p.m.) London, November 5. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Pebrograd says: "Th'e real motive for Austro-German strategy in Rumania is the necessity for avoiding a new front of 635 miles,'which the Rumanian, frontier represents. Austro-German-Bulgar effort? are being devoted to straightening the line in order to reach across Rumania to Constant, which is only 250 miles. This plan implies a converging movement by Von Falkenhayn and Von Mackensen, in which Von Falkenhayn will have the principal role, as Von Mackensen is unable to operate across the Danube." GERMANS HARD HIT ON THE CERNA (Aust.—N.Z. Cablo Assn. and Router.) London, November 5. A War Office communique states- that there is positive information that in the latest fighting on the left bank of the Cerna the Germans suffered enormously. SENSATIONAL REVELATIONS OF GREEK TREACHERY SCENE IN THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. Australian-New Zealand Oable Association. (Rec. November 6, 9.50 p.m.) . _ . Salonika, November 6. M. Coundouriotis has made a sensational revelation concerning the secret dealings of M. Skouloudis (ex-Premier) with the Germans and the Bulgars. M. Coundouriotis says that he and his pro-Ally colleagues learnt of the surrender of Fort Supel eight days after tho accomplishment- of that crime against the nation. M. Coundouriotis jumped up from the Council table and shouted: "Nobodj; has any right to dispose of territory which Greece has won by the blood of her sons. It is not private property! Not an inch can be smuggled away without tho people's consent!" 'Alarmed at the 6ccne. M. Skouloudis mumbled an apology, and then produced a document signed by the German Minister, declaring that Fort Supel would be returned to Greece later." M. Coupndouriotis concludes: "AIIM. Skouloudis's explanations to the Entente and his' statements to the Chamber were deliberate lies." The Venizelist Cause. The general opinions in Venizelist circles is that M. Venizelos expects a fuller recognition from tho Allies than that his Government is a mere de facto concern. This, he complains, lays his movement under the stigma of being a temporary recruiting agency for the Allied Balkan army. M. Venizelos dosires full recognition, enabling him to have representatives at the Allied capitals. ■ _ Some Venizelists consider that there is a Utopian scheme among the Allies to secure the co-operation of King Constantine and M. Venizelos. This would bo impossible, since King Constantine is permeated with Germanism, and means to impose Prussian absolutism upon democratic Greece. King Constantine still has 35,000 troops and much artillery in Thessaly. Under the excuse of marching against the Venizelists he is concentrating the whole of his Third Army Corps within twenty'miles of the flanks of the Allied army. A SHARP NOTE TO GREECE Athens, November 5. Admiral du Fournet has sent tho Greek Government a fresh Note, couched in severe terms. It is believed to TefeT to the arrest of German spies implicated in tho submarine attacks on shipping. REQUEST FROM THE ALLIES REFUSED. Athens, November 5. A Council of Ministers, with King Constantine presiding, rejected l a request by Admiral du Fournet for the utilisation of the Greek light fleet, manned by tho Allies, to ensure the security of the coast. ENTENTE POWERS OCCUPY KATERINA. (Eeutcr's Tclojram.) Athens, November 5. Allied forces have occupied Katorina with a view to avoiding bloodshed between the Royalist and Nationalist troops. M: VENIZELOS AND THE ALLIES. ("The Times.") London, November 5. The Athens correspondent of "The Times" states that M. Venizelos states he is satisfied with the decisions of the Allies' Conference at Boulogne. Ho is indifferent as to their recognition of the Provisional Government, sinco tho Allies are affording him practical support, WITH THE RUSSIANS IN THE CARPATHIANS SERIES OF HEIGHTS OCCUPIED. '\ Austrnllnn-New Zealand Oable Apsoriation. (Rec. November 6, 6.20 p.m.) . , London, November 5. An officiaJ message indicates that during unimportant operations the Gormans drove tho Russians from the village of Mojcska, which was subsequently retaken. The Russians made progress south, of Dorna. Vatra, and occupied a. series of heights* J