RUMANIAN CRISIS MORE INTENSE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2939, 27 November 1916, Page 5

RUMANIAN CRISIS MORE INTENSE

HEAVY PRESSURE BY THE ENEMV ENEMY CLAIMS IMPORTANT SUCCESSES (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). (Aust—N.Z. Cable Abed, and, Beuter.) ' : (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m:) London, November 24. A Rumanian official communique reports: "The enemy is, attempting to iiHsembark troops near Zimmtea, on the Danube, forty-five miles j;outh of Bucharest. In Western WaUaahia ire further retired before superior forces. In the Dobrudja we advanced on the whole front, especially on the centre and left-wing." : ■ ' (Rec. November 26, 6.5 p.m.) London, November 25. A Rumanian'official communiquo states: "The enemy landed troops at Eslaz and Zimnitza, north of which points' their advance hae been arrested." '' RUSSIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) , London, November 24. A Russian official communique. states: "In the Dobrudja our troops farther advanced to the south, their left flank reaching Tashul, while in places 'hey crossed the river Kartal. . . (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Assn. and Beuter.) (R-ec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) \ London, November 25. A Russian official oommunique states: "In the Alt Valley, the enemy energetically attacked and pressed back the Rumanians towards the south of KaUmaneshfc-Moldaroß"h._ Tie enemy from Crajova compelled the Rumanians to retire behind the River Oltenz. The .Germans have crossed the Danube near Zimnitza." • GERMAN OFFICIAL' COMMUNIQUE.. ' (Rec. November 26, 5.5 v p.m.) London, November 24. A German official communique states: "In the Dobrudja the Bulgars attacked and drove back the Russians. Von Maokensen's army likewise engaged them at other points. We have captured Orsova and Turnu-Severin." London, November 25. A German official communique states: "The Rumanian resistance on the Lower Olt has been broken. Wo crossed the river. Three Rumanian battalions were cut off from the main, army after stubbornly resisting. Northeast of Turnu-Severin the forces of the Central Powers, after crossing the Danube, gained a footing in Rumanian territory." The German evening communique states: "Forces from von Mackensen's army have crossed the Danube at several points." AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Reo. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 24. An Austrian official communique states: "The vanguard of our forces, advancing beyond Crajova, reached the Alt River. The enemy is tenaciously resisting in the Rimnik, sector." BULGARIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. . (Reo. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) ■. London, November.2s. A Bulgarian official communique states: "Near Ghigzhen, Grehovo, Lom Palanka, and.Vidin, we occupied islands in the Danube." 'RAYS OF HOPE IN THE OUTLOOK (Itenter'g Telcprrara.) (Rec. November 25, 5.40 p.m.) London, November 24. Three belated. Rumanian communiques do not refer to the fall of Crajova. •They admit a retirement east of the town. Apparently the Rumanians from the Jiul Valley are making a stand at Olquie, between Crajova and Slatina. The reference to fierce attacks, by the enemy at Cerna proves that ffie Rumanians are still operating in the Orsova region. The occupation of Tasaul and Tatarpalas, in the Dobrudja, reveals the extent of. the Allies' southward advance. Both are villages on the Black Sea, eighteen miles north of Constanza. Experts point out that von Falkenhayn failed to cut off Rumania from Russia in the Moldavian defiles, and was then compelled to abandon his march to Bucharest through tho .Predeal Pass. While the unexpected forced march on Crajova is merely a raid, it i s intended to create alarm, as tho enemy's base is too remote to enable h," m to crush Rumania. Tho public is irtged to await developments before jumping to the conclusion that the Rumanian defence is a failure. VON MACKENSEN'S OPERATIONS A DANGER. AustrflHan-No'r Zealand Coble Association. (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 25. The London newspapers insist on the importance of the news that von Maokensen is across the Danube at seyeral points, of which one is clearly Zimnitza. Apparently Mackensen's troops were brought from Cernavoda to effect this invasion, which, if unchecked, will turn the Rumanian line, at the Alt. A GERMAN REVIEW OF THE SITUATION (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 24. The German Government's wireless news from Berlin states: "The 'Atistro-Germans dominate tho situation in the western part of Rumania— called Small Wallachia. The Rumanians have endeavoured by every means to impede our irruption into section of tho Wallacbian Plain, as has iwen proved by the great efforts tbe.y have made near Orsova, and their'extraordinary and stubborn resistance in the Jiul Valley. General von Falkenhayn's army, after conquering the Szurduk and Vulkan Passes, made a new thrUßt on November 12 southward of tho frontier, and pushed back the enemy to a

strongly-fortified position near Dusteni. We again pushed: him back on November 14, and defeated him decisively on November 18, near _ Tir Giului, together with all his reserves. The railroad was in our bands on November 20; Crajova was entered on November 21. This means the conquest of 11,000 square kilometres of wheat soil. The occupation of Crajova was of hjgh strategio importance. As two Danubian railroads converge there, the communications of all the Rumanian troops westward of Crajova were cut, whilst the Central Powers' reinforcements are advancing: on all sides. Easily transportable networks of roads radiate from Crajova. xheso are most important, inasmuch as the chief strategic railroads from theßotherthurm Pass to the Danube are only forty kilometres (20 miles) distant. Finally Crajova, being the key to Western Rumania, is an excellent baso for fresh operations eastward." COLONEL REPINGTON ON THE OUTLOOK SITUATION PROBABLY BETTER THAN IT LOOKS. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, November 24. The military correspondent of "The Times" (Colonel Repington) points out that the Rumanians at Orsova have had a week in which to retreat ninety miles in order to avoid being cut off by the Germans at Crajova. Probably the Orsova army will be successful, though a division forming the rearguard may be caught. Von Hindenburg's chance for a great coup depended upon the forcing of the passes between Buzoit and Torzburg, in order to deploy upon the plain to the southwards. _ This might have involved two Rumanian armies in disaster. But the Rumanians held firm in the central passes,_ and the Austro-Germans are now obliged to attack from the west and cross rivers in flood flowing north to south and south-east. If the Rumanians hold firm, the enemy will attack constantly at a disadvantage, and must fight ordinary battles instead of throwing for a great coui>. Von Falkenhayn at the_ present moment has only his Western columns available for action in the plains; the others are hung up in the hills. Though the loss of Western Rumania is a bad blow, the situation may be much less black than appears on the surface. RUMANIANS SAVE THEMSELVES BY A FLANK MOVEMENT (Rec. November 26, 11.15 p.m.) Potrograd, November 25. The Rumanians, by an operation on their extreme left, saved themselves after destroying millions of hundredweights of cereals. THEIR AIM—AN OBJECT LESSON IN FRIGHTFULNESS (Rco. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) A * London, November 25. Messages via 'Amsterdam show that plans for an increased concentration of troops in Rumania are being hurried forward. Germany is determined that this campaign will serve as an object-lesson to the neutral world of her invincibility. Germany calculates that she will be able to transform Rumania into a second Belgium, which will result in a new industrial conscription, whereby the Germans hope to obtain millions of men. The Rumanian campaign will continue throughout the winter. VIOLENT BATTLE ON THE CERNA HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON THE ENEMY (Anst —N.Z. Cable Assn. and. Renter.) (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, November 25. Violent counter-attacks by the enemy on the right bank of the' Cerna were a complete failure. A stubborn struggle continues north fS.d east or Monastir, where the Allies made progress, inflicting heavy losses on the Germans and Bulgars. The Italians, advancing west of Monastir, reached Nizopoli, taking prisoners." AN ILL-STARRED ENTERPRISE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. * , (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 2-5. The "Daily Telegraph's" Athens correspondent says:—"Large German reinforcements assisted m a determined Bulgar attack from, Budimitizi, against the Serbian centre, threatening to recapture Kaimackalan. The Serbs took the offensive, and occupied Budimitizi, taking prisoner five hundred of the enemy. Fighting continues on the heights .four miles northward of Monastir. The .Germans and Budgars are determinedly resisting the advance to Prilep. French reinforcements have cleared Southern Macedonia." ITALIAN BASE AT VALONA' LINKED UP WITH THE CERNA. 1 (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) - Milan, November 25. Albanian free-booters actively attacked the Italians north of Epirus, but the Italians were stronger than the free-booters, and well-equipped with artillery, foiled an attempt to prevent the Italians from co-operating in the advance on Monastir. The Italians have completed the linking up operations from Valona with the Cerna seotor, and fine roads have been constructed, with the co-operation of the Southern Albanians. GREECE AND THE ALLIES , ANOTHER ULTIMATUM FROM THE FRENCH ADMIRAL (Reo. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) Athens, November 25. Admiral du Fournet is delivering an ultimatum to the Greek Government before resorting to measures for enforciug the surrender of war material. SOME PLAIN HOME-TRUTHS (Rec. November 26, 11.15 p.m.) London, November 25. i Tlie "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Athens states that on November 14 a letter was sent to the Greek Premier, demanding' that ten batteries of mountain-guns should be handed over by December 1, and the rest of the material by December 15. "The letter emphasises tho point that the recent refusal of the Government does not accord with Greeoe's profession of benevolent neutrality, and contrasts the present circumstances with those under which the Bulgars, towards whom Greece only professes neutrality pure and simple, seized Greek material and troops at Kavala, concerning which Greece's protest is inadequate compensation for the Entente Powers. Hie letter points out that the delivery of the material now olaimed cannot offend legitimate patriotism or international equity. The arms were destined for use in the deliverance of the soil, Which had been watered by most generous Hellenic blood. Their place was not in the arsenals, but Monastir and Macedonia, where the fate of all the Balkan States was being settled." WHAT A REFUSAL MAY MEAN. (Rec. November 26, 11' p.m.) Athens, November 25. Greek Ministerial circles declare that the Government will resign if the Allies use coercion. Admiral du Fournefc threatens a blookade, and to land troops, if the demands are not met, (Rec. November 26,11.15 p.m.) London, November 25. A wireless message from Rome states that the Greek Ministry, after examining afresh the Entente Powers' demands regarding the delivery of arms, has decided not to insist on a policy' of resistance. ' . A WARNING FROM GENERAL SARRAIL, (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) Salonika, November 25. • The Greek Royalists refuse to evacuate Ekaterini. General San-ail has warned the Government that unless the evacuation is immediate he will use force. ' FRENCH PROTEST AGAINST PERSECUTION OF VENIZSLISTS (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) Athens, November 24. The French Minister at Athens, M. Guillerain, has protested to the Greek Foreign Minister against the systematic persecution of the Vcnizelists. ° AT WAR IN SPITE OF CONSTANTINE GRput-eT*'' s TelficrraiTO (Rec. November 27, 1.15 a.m.) Athens, November 26. Greece is regarded as being virtually in a state of war with Bulgaria, as the Greek Provisional Government, Allies regard as the do facto Government, has declared war on Bulgaria. The Venizelists have also declared war on Germany because she torpedoed ships carrying Greek Nationalist forces. I , BERLIN-BAGHDAD RAILWAY, THE GREAT AM'US TUNNEL PIERCED. (United Service.) (Rec. November 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 24. Reports from Sofia state that tho Baghdad railway tunnel through the Taurus Range has been pierced. 'Hie "Evening News" comments: "In one year the Germans have shortened tbe Berlin-Baghdad journey by a fortnight." The "Daily Mail" says:' "This tunnel overcomes the last natural obstacle to the German control of the Berlin-Baghdad line, which will menace Egypt, and India. We wrecked our opportunities in the Balkans and Belgium in 1914, in Serbia in 1915, and in Rumania in 1916,"