BLEAK PROSPECT IN RUMANIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 7

BLEAK PROSPECT IN RUMANIA

RUMANIANS PRESSED BACK THE ATTACK ON BUCHAREST .... , London, Decomber 5. A Russian official communique states: "The Rumanian attempts to check the enemy on the roads between Pitesci and Bucharest were unsuccessful, and the Rumanians are retiring east from Titu towards Bucharest, and west and south of Stopitea, under incessant attacks by superior enemy forces. We have captured another range of heights on tha Moldavian frontier, but were compelled to retire from a height south of Vorouesska, in the wooded Car-pathians."—Aust.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. December 6, 7 p.m.) . ~ London, December 5. A Gorman official communique states that von Mackensen is pursuing and breaking the resistance of tho enemy's rearguards. "Wo have crossed the railway from Bucharest to Tergovista, towards the east. The number of prisoners taken since December.3 has increased to 12,500, while 4500 have been taken elsewhere."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. RUMANIAN LOSSES ACCORDING TO GERMANY. Amsterdam, December 5. A dispatch from Berlin claims Hint the Rumanians lost twenty-fivo thousand men between November 29 and December 3. The Germans occupy 45,000 square kilometres of while tho Alt Valley contains numerous herds and great stores of grain, which will be converted to the use of the German people as soon as possible.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn. ONE REDEEMING FEATURE OP THE NEWS . RUSSIANS JUNCTION WITH THE RUMANIANS. London, Deccmbor 6The situation before Bucharest is black indeed, if tho German claims are accepted. A decisive battle was fought at the Argos River on Sunday, the Russians and Rumanians being defeated. The Germans also recovered ground lost south-west of Bucharest, whero they were driven back on Saturday ,by the Rumanian offensive. The Germans are now within range of Bucharest's big guns. Von Mackenncn has assumed chief command, and claims that the Rumanians suffered bloody losses. The advnnce on the plain has also simplified the commissariat problem, as tho greater part of f.ho maize crop was captured, in addition to large stocks of wheat, petrol, wood, metal, and salt, I much of which was loaded on carts. Tho German advance at Targovista brings I them to. the outßldrta of ih§ oil area,. The richest oilfield ia iu ihe E-aliovi

Valloy, between Ploesci and the Predeal Pass. During 1915 Rumania exported '129,000 tons of refined oil produots, practically all to Germany and Austria, but only 3 per cent, of this was petrol, which the Rumanians treated as contraband. The present 6tock of petrol in Rumania is about a million tons. If the Rumanians are able to demolish wells and machinery, it will be six months before the Germans Are able to extract oil. The only redeeming feature of the news is the faot that the Russian Army has effected a junction with the Rumanians before Bucharest. It must be hoped that the Russians will be able to throw in further reinforcements at the danger points.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WAS RUMANIA BOUNCED INTO THE WAR? New York, December 5. The "Providence Journal" asserts that it has information that tho Rumanians were forced into the war prem atutely by a German ultimatum. Rumania did not intend to enter the conflict until March, 1917, but participated when the majority of her guns were of German and Austrian manufacture. The position is more hopeful now that the Russians are able to give valuable assistance, and Rumania is receiving equipment from the Allies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HUNGARIANS LOOKING TO THE ENTENTE FOR SYMPATHY (Rec. December 6, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 5. The "Daily Telegraph's" Hungarian correspondent states that von Falkenhayn and several of his generals rje learning the Hungarian language, as part of the German policy of ingratiatioli, it being hoped that this will lead to the political domination of Hungary after the war. The Hungarians aro suspicious. They declare that dependence on Germany would be undesirable. "It would only be a change of masters," they say. "We want complete political and economic independence. If tho Entente agreed to further this object it would create sympathy with a large part of tSie Hungarian nation."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRESH SUCCESS IN THE BALKANS * SERBIANS FOLLOW UP 'THEIR GAINS. The High Commissioner reports:— London, December 5, 3.15 p.m. A French official report states: "Eastward of the Cerna the Serbians, following up Sunday's success, reached the borders of Staraviiia. All the enemy counter-attacks were repulsed, with sanguinary, losses. During Sundayand Monday the Allies captured five cannon and three trench mortars. To the northward of Paralovo the French and Serbian forces have made progress." i SERBIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. London, December 5. A Serbian communique states: "We captured another village north of Monastir by assault. The Bulgarians are retreating northward."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. December 6, 7 p.m.) London, December 5. A Serbian official comtminjque states: "We have developed our successes north of (Grunista and Budimiru, and carried new fortified positions.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. INCESSANT PRESSURE ON THE ENEMY'S FRONT. m , ra i-l n ■•) !»<■. i •. ' Paris, Deoember 5:. xn© Jr'etit ransieri s Salonika correspondent states that the Bulgarian lines are strongly and solidly organised, and although the enemy has fallen back he is in no ;way destroyed, and only slightly demoralised.. German and onlgaria.il prisoners declare that General von Mackensen ordered that the present positions^must be held at all costs. The Allies' pressure continues incessantly, sometimes lively, sometimes weak. No attacks worthy of the name have been made since the capture of Monastir.—Aust.-N.Z. Cajjle Assn. THE TREACHERY OF GREECE THE SLAUGHTER AT THE WEEK-END MINISTERIAL' STATEMENTS. (Rec. December 6, 7 p.m.) Tv. u. rr z t i ~ London, December 5. n t!®* Lo / ds > JheMarqms of Crewe announced that since Lord S U ff n the Greek situation, a. telej British Minister at Athens had reported that a certain degree ha / *e° n r? s l f bll^ d - i li , had beon ascertained that irregular attacked the Entente troops and Venizelists. These bands included Greek officers who had been dismissed from tho Armv. Greek regulars are now guarding Athens. The British Minister has- advised tho British people to go to the Piraeus for greater safety, though he did not fear immeu er > British kk property. The Government did not regard me as being one of less gravity, and was unshaken in its determination to fix the responsibility for Friday's events and secure a non-recurrence Aus-NZ CabirA°SB 0 n qUeS mvolv€d '' naval considerations.-