The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 14 December 1916, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY

King and Ministers — Fall of Bucharest—Progress on Monastir Front.

Mr Lloyd George is ' now engaged, in co-operation with Mr Mr Bonar Law, in forming an administration. Mr Bonar Law, who was summoned by the King on the resignation of Mr Asquith declined to face the task alone, and the King then called in Mr Lloyd George.

A wireless message from Berlin claims the capture of Bucharest, the capital of Roumania, The capture is admitted in London. The Germans say they are Ajitftrchingstraightonthe Prahova with the double purpose ot capturing the oilfields there and cutting off the retreat of the '. Second Roumanian Army, which for two months has been defeating the attempts of the enemy to break through the Transylvanian passes into the valley.

The Germans have made an attack on the left bank of the Meuse, north of Verdun, choosing Hill 304, which has already cost them so heavily.

In a message to his friends in London, M. Venizelos, leader of the Greek Nationalists, describes the situation as perilous, and urges the allies to act immediately.

SATURDAY. New Premier's Policy—Best use of Man Power — Roumanian Army Intact — Blockade of Greece Instituted. Mr Lloyd George has definitely accepted office as Prime Minister and is making good progress with the construction of a Government. The Liberal War Group has pledged its support, and Labour has officially decided to participate in the new Government, expressing the hope that a settlement of the Irish question will be attempted. It is believed that the Roumanian army is still intact. The evacuation of Bucharest was due to the congestion of the railways, preventing Russian reinforcements coming from Moldavia. It is officially announced that the allies have instituted a .blockade of Greece, which will be continued until reparation is made for the recent outrages in Athens. .-_*.

The Servians are steadily pressing' their advantage north of Monastir, and have captured a series of strongly fortified heights.

MONDAY. Greece Mobilising—British Cabinet Changes—Roumanians Entrenching. The Hungarian Premier stated in a speech that matters in Greece were entirely in 'favour of the Germanic Powers,

It is reported that the Greek army is being rapidly mobilised and sent to Larissa in preparation for an attack en the allies' rear.

The allied blockade of Greece has commenced, and shipping not belonging to Greece has been allowed a certain time to leave the blockaded ports.

It is officially announced that Mr A. J. Balfour will become Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the new British Gov ernment* and Lord Rqbert Cecil retain his old position of Undersecretary for Foreign airs" and Minister-in-Charge p,f \h& Blockade.

F'Qur I^Qumanian diyisions defeated four enemy divisions . south-west of Bucharest, Qaptuicannon. The battle was ' The Roumanian first and second armies are believed to have reached entrenched lines in Moldavia.

TUESDAY £ Clean Sweep by Germany— More Conflicting News about Greece — New Russian Railway Qpenetj. It is reported that the Brenner Qf Bulgaria has publicly stated I>'ha.t (general Hind.enh.nrg plans to make a clean sweep o.f the Balkan?, He hGpe.s to destroy General Sarr-ail's army and effect a junction with the Greek army within six weeks. There is no official news of the .'situation in Greece. It is unofficially stated on the one hand that King Constantine is denying hostile intentions, and offering concessions; on the other, that allies were fco present an ulti" rnatum;' • ■ ; :1

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

It is alleged that pro-German politicians who have remained at Bucharest are planning to depose King Ferdinand and enthrone his elder brother William, who renounced the succession in 1886. The Bulgarians repoit further crossing of the Danube south-east of Bucharest, where the Roumanian resistance would be perfunctory owing to the necessity of conforming to the line of retirement from the capital. The railway from Petrograd to Romanoff (Alexandrovsk), Russia's new ice-free port on the Arctic Ocean, has been completed. WEDNESDAY Activity on Ancre Front—Allied Demands on Greece—Reichstag Hastily Summoned. The guns are again speaking on the Ancre front, where the artillery duel is the most violent since the beginning of the Somme offensive. The cannonade extends to many sectors on the British and Belgian fronts. It is believed that the allied demands on Greece include complete demobilisation, control of the post offices and telegraphs, and the release of Venizelists. It is stated that General Hindenburg employed an army of at least 800,000 men against Roumania, many of the divisions having been withdrawn from the western front. The Germans maintain strong pressure on the Roumanians, but are meanwhile diverting troops to Macedonia. Germany lias been thrown into a state of great excitement by the hurried summoning of the Reichstag for a meeting which is semi-officially described as of " world-wide and historic importance." THURSDAY Germany Climbing Down — Offer Sent to the Allies—Greek Army Mobilising. The hurried summoning of the Reichstag has been followed by peace proposals by the Germanic Powers. The German Chancellor has handed the Ambassadors of the United States, Spain, and Switzerland, a Note proposing peace for transmission to the allied Governments. King Constantino has ordered a general mobilisation *of the Greek army. It is reported that he is playing for time.