THE WAR

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 October 1916, Page 3

THE WAR

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(Australia-New Zeiland Cable Service.] RUMANIA'S DANGER. London, October 24. The success of Maclcenson's unexpected attack has renewed public anxiety as to Rumania's ability to counter the fierce Austro-German assaults. It is understood that Mookensen now commands a third of the Bulgarian army, with a considerable stiffening of Germans, together with Turks. Since Alackensen's reverse on September 20 after •breaking the Russoliumanian left wing and capturing the fortified centre of Topraisor, Mackeneen has' pushed on fifteen miles displayinw a. remarkable liability for improving his victory, which is his chief military virtue. . Thus ho was able to throw an army within twenty-foui hours across the railway, cutting off stores of petroloum and cereals which were stored at Constanta. The decks cover 150 acres and are able to store 70,000 tons of grain. They were also ■the headquarters of 757 Rumanians.

If IMackenseh liems the Russo-Ru-maniatis into the small semi-ciicle territory before Vernavxoda, the Rximaniuns will find the bridgehead very costly to defend against conditions of modern artillery fire. If retreat is eventually necessary the passsige of the bridge will be an operation fraught with danger. The fact that Maokensen claims no prisoners indicates that the Rumanians have retreated beyond the railway in accordance with a pre-arranged plan. There is stubborn lighting on the other Rumanian fronts, but only in the northern sector is there a tendency to drive back the enemy. It is apparent that Falkenhayn's troops have a footing on the Rumanian aide in at least five passes. It lis estimated that Falkenhayn ha« fourteen divisons in Transylvania. It is noteworthy that the AustroHungarian war correspondents in Transylvania continually insist on the difficulties confronting Palkenhayn. They say (that snowfalls may delay his advance and' that Rumania may be able to draw on Russian reinforcements. The Central - Powers must be satisfied if the enemy is kept out of Hungary.

ATTACK ON RUSSIAN FLANK. Petrograd, October 23. Over twenty enemy battalions, including a whole Austrian division, were engaged in a furious - assault on Friday in the wooded Carpathians with the object of securing, regardless of cost, the heights east of Kirlibaha. All attacks were repulsed with crushing loss. One battalion was absolutely wiped out. Another had 170 survivors out of 850 men. The Germans are ceaselessly attacking Bystritzn, where tho breaking of the Russian front would bring the enemy to rear of Ivempolun.g and the whole Russian left flank. The greatness of the stake explains the enemy's sacrifices.

SIR. DOUGLAS HATG'S REPORT. London, October 24. Sir Douglas Hiaig repots:— We advanced; our lines eastward of Guedecourt and Los Bouefs, capturing 1000 yards of trenches. Our artillery stopped the enemy's attempted attacks southward of Grandecourt. Two raids were attempted on Sunday night agitinst our trenches at Gommecotirt and in the neighbourhood. Our fire stopped one .inflicting heavy casualties. The second penetrated our outpost lines. A counterattack promptly dirove the enemy out.

Our aeroplanes on Sunday bombed two railway stations behind the enemy's lines, hitting a train in motion. They did much damage to rolling stock and building. Seven enemy machines were brought down and many others were damaged and forcedi to descend. Eight of our machines have not returned.