RUSSIAN BLOW REDUCES THE PRESSURE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2946, 5 December 1916, Page 5

RUSSIAN BLOW REDUCES THE PRESSURE

SUCCESSFUL ADVANCE IN TRANSYLVANIA FA'LKENHAYN'S PLANK IN DANGER ■ (Bj-Telegraph.—Pxoss AflSMiation—Ooßjright).. _w ~ . ~ , ■ Petrograd, December 3. The Russian success in the wooded Carpathians has caused Von Falkenhayn to delay his advance, fearing that his rear would be endangered. Moreover the Rumanian's, encouraged by the Russian attack, have assumed a resolute offensive in the Buzou Valley, and threaten to descend on Brasso (Kroiastadt,). The Russian advauce on the Bukowina-Hungary frontier is developing with the utmost energy. The r oa d to Maramarossziget ib now under the. fire of the Russian guns. The Russians overcame a desperate resistance by the_ Germans at Kirhbaba, and also seized the Ruriukala height, near the rear of the enemy's position. The German-Bulgar reverse at Comana momentarily arrestee! an attempt to reach Bucharest from that direction. Nevertheless, a fresh crossing or the Danube at Turtakai is threatened. Meanwhile Russians and Rumanians regard the preservation of the Rumanian army as essential, even if it is necessary to temporarily abandon Bucharest.—Austra-lian-New Zealand Cable Association. , , ANOTHER VIEW OP THE. SITUATION. Rome, December 3. i The "Corriere della Sera's" Petrograd correspondent states that Von Falkonhayn's forces in the mountains between Transylvania and Moldavia have been obliged to assume the defensive owing to the dispatch of several divisions from that quarter to assist in the advance through Wallachia. Operations on a great scale are no longer possible in the Trausylvanian Alps owing to winter conditions.—Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. THE OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUES (Res. December 4, 5.15 p.m.) ! ' . , ''"'". London, December 3. A Rumanian official communique states: "In the attacks in Moldavia, north of Wallachia, we took considerable number of prisoners. On the western front we retired towards Titin. We defeated and drove back southward a division of Turks. The main body of German-Bulgar forces are in the region of Glavacioc and Neaglov." A Russian official communique states: "In Transylvania we successfully attacked .the valleys of the rivers Trotua and Sulty, and occupied the Asaul suitor. In the Arges valley the fighting is assuming the character of a great battle. The Rumanians, outflanked by cavalry from the south, are retreating south-eastwards. The Rumanians south of Bucharest, with the assistance of the Russians, are .successfully developing their operations. At least twentysis guns have been captured."—Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. A German official communique records an advance from Campolung to Pitesci, the crossing of the Arges River, and the capture of 2863 prisoners, with fifteen guns.—Axistralian-New Zealand Cable Association.—Router. A REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS (Rec. December 4, 5.45 p.m.) London, December 3. The "Daily, Chronicle's" correspondent with the Southern Russian Army I Headquarters, says: "The maiu danger to Bucharest is from the south. The ' astonishing facility with which'the Germans crossed the Danube is' due to their technical superiority. Von Mackensen established powerful long-range batteries at many pointß on the right bank and on several islands, and thus prevented the Russian and Rumanian gunboats from navigating the river. Simultaneously other long-range batteries drove back the Rumanian batteries from the left bank which had vainly tried to stop the Germans. Then the Austrian monitors intervened to protect the German landings. Von Mackensen's rush was realty a victory in the sprint race to Bucharest, in which the Allies were outstripped. . . "Meanwhile, Russia has not been idle on her extended frvutof over a hundred miles, assisted by dense fogs, which fortunately.shrouded some risky operations. The risk was greater because it was temporarily necessary to thin some parts of the front while reinforcements were being brought from the rear. Brusiloff's southernmost army is now. able to threaten Falkenlwyn's left flank in rear. The Jlussiaus are attacking with great resolution between the.Moldavian town of Okna and Ciksercda station, and have reached the river Tatras. A brave Russian lieutenant, with a small body of men, mshed a mountain ravine and surprised a German pioneer, who was attempting to blow np a railway bridge. The capture prevented the explosion of the bridge, which is on one of the main lines of Falkenhayn's communications. The storming of Kirlibaba was_ a desperate business. Many houses were captured and recaptured several times. Machine guns were ovorywh'cre, and rifle fir© poured from every window, roof, and cellar. The Russians have also occupied the summits commanding the railway to Marmarosszigot, in Hun-gary."—Australian-New Zealand 1 Cable Association. BUCHAREST NO LONGER A FORTRESS London, December 3. A Rumanian semi-official message denies a statement by tho Wolf Bureau's agents that Bucharest has been transformed into an armed camp. It [ points out that the city ceased to he a fortress before the war. When its occupation was threatened, the military prepared to evacuate it, but worn urged to remain.—Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. KULTUE IN RUMANIA. Amsterdam, December 3. General von Schei'oiind Wcidenbach has been appointed Governor of tho occupied part of Rumania.—Renter. THE CRISIS IN GREECE MYSTERY ENSHROUDS THE SITUATION WHAT PROVOKED THE FIGHTING Athena, December 3. The position is obscure. The indications are that Allied detachments were landed as a measure of precaution, with orders not to seize the war material which the King in October promised to surrender to tho Allies as compensation for that delivered to the Bnlgars and Germans. Meanwhile the Greek troops suddenly assumed an aggressive attitude, and tho events reported followed. Subsequently 600 English and Egyptian marines marched out from tho Zappeiou with all their equipment under a. strong guard, en route to the Piraeus. A detachment of Italian marines who had taken refuge in the Archaeological School were permitted; Co depart quietly under a Greekescort. —Renter. A. Venizelist newspaper stales that the provinces are excited. The Allies" representatives have bceu expelled from the control of many niilway stations and telegraph offices.—Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. A BLOCKADE OF GREECE (Rec. December 4, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, December 3. The Allies have placed an embargo on Greek ships Iving in ports belonging to the Allies. Greece is- therefore in a state of blockade.—Rsuter.