The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 7 December 1916, Page 3

The War News.

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

FRIDAY. Defence of Bucharest—Great Battle Expected — Changes at the Admiralty. The Germans are steadily advancing on Bucharest from the north-west and south-west. It is expected a great battle will be fought before the capital. The Russians have started an offensive in the Wooded Carpathians, near the junction of the Roumanian and Bukovina frontiers. The anticipated changes at the Admiralty have been announced. ||: Sir John Jellicoe relinquishes w. command of the Grand Fleet to become First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, in succession to Sir Henry Jackson. Sir David Beatfcy, who has fought two actions as commander of the battle-cruiser squadron, assumes command of the whole fleet. Further progress has been made by the allies east, north, and west of Monastir. A Servian attack on a height was particularly brilliant. The British have gained ground on the left bank of the Vardar River, north of Salonika. British naval aeroplanes again attacked Zeebrugge Harbour, on the Belgian coast. SATURDAY. March on Bucharest — Russian Attacks in Moldavia — Allied Troops landed in Piraeus. German advance-guards are within 18 miles of Bucharest. The Roumanian capital is defended by forts resembling those at Antwerp. On the Moldavian frontier and in the Wooded Carpathians the Roumanians and Russians are making effective attacks. The allies are taking steps to enforce their demand that Greece .*■ should surrender a large quantity of war material. French troops are already landing at Piraeus, the port of Athens. MONDAY. Fighting in Athens—Munitions to be Surrendered —Attempt to aid Roumania—Battle Raging round Bucharest. There has been fighting in Athens between French sailors and Gree,k troops, ending in King Coristantine agreeing to surrender six batteries of mountain guns to the allies. Venizelists took part in the affray, while there is also a suggestion that the French bombarded the hills behind the palace. Heavy fighting is reported west and south-west of Bucharest. The Germans are attempting a converging movement against the capital from the north-west and south-east. The Roumanian army is still intact, with its ' heavy artillery. The Russians have commenced a great offensive on a front of 200 miles along the borders of Bukovina and Northern Roumania, with the object of relieving the situatiqn in Roum,ania. T^e R.ussian.s and I^qun^an,ians $pc attacking on the whole ©ohrud^a front, a.nd b,a.ve retaken the western portion of the important Cernavoda bridge, which spans the Danube east of Bucharest. TUESDAY Roumanian Success—Russian-Attack Developing —Embargo on Greek Shipping. 'phe Russians' thrust at the -^, ;■, e.n.eniy's cbrrjrqunicatiorjs from -.^H^-jilolciaYia. and the. "v^qoided Caris Wing developed •; ■■"' lupcessfujly. They hay.c reached- ' , the 'Stiver, ancl hqve the r.qad tq Marmoras Sziget, on the Hungarian Plain, under fire. Their succ.ess . h.as encouraged #ie Roumanians tq as§um.e -the offensive \n Huzeu galley, and threaten to desc.en.ci Qn Krongtait, The allies have placed an embargo on Greek ships lying at allied ports. Greece is therefore in a state of blockade. It is officially stated that, with a view to the move effective prosecution of the war, Mr Asquith has decided to advise the King to conserit to % vaPWfti'fto^ The new P.riqe Minister of Russia forecasts reorganisation ;.. for still greater war efforts. Hq '!( affirms1 that Russia ftilj ne^e? ja'^r cjovvn hey arms' till complete victory" is attained,

WEDNESDAY Doubts About Greece -Constantine's Treachery — Fall of Capital Probable — Success on Monastir Front. Newspaper correspondents at Piraeus, the pert of Athens, indicate a danger that Greece may attack the allies in the rear or at the Salonika base. One correspondent expresses the opinion that King Constantine is quietly mobilising his army, meanwhile playing for time. The conflict in Athens was the direct outcome of Greek treachery. Admiral Dufournet, who is in command of the allied naval forces in Greek waters, told King Constantine the positions he intended to occupy, and it was arranged that neither side should use force. In spite of the King's pledge that there should be no disturbances, Royalist troops occupied the points mentioned by Admiral Dufournet, and opened fire, without warning. It is considered in Petrograd that the fate of Bucharest is merely a matter of time. The Servians have cairied heights north-east of Monastir, and captured a large number of prisoners' The importance of this success is indicated by the fact that the Germans are at pains to explain that it will not affect the Roumanian campaign. THURSDAY Mr Asquith Resigns—War Minister and the Crisis — Germans before Bucharest. The resignations have been announced of Mr Lloyd George, Secretary of State for War, and Mr Asquith, Prime Minister, in that order. The immediate cause of the resignations was disagreement between Mr Lloyd George and Mr Asquith as to the constitution of the War Council. Mr Bonar Law, Leader of the Unionist Party, has been summoned to Buckingham Palace. What is described as the decisive battle for Bucharest was fought and lost on the Arges River, north-west of the Roumanian capital, on Sunday. The Germans are now within range of the guns of Bucharest, and the only redeeming feature of the news is that Russian forces have effected a junction with the Roumanians.