The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 January 1917, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY. Success in Roumania — German Advance Checked—Allies' Reply to Germany — Mobilisation of British Labour. The Russians have secured an ~ important success in checking the German advance 30 miles south-west of Braila. The Roumanian forces are being reorganised behind the covering Russian army. The French Premier states that the allies will send a concerted Note to Germany declaring that it is impossible to take the peace proposals seriously. In order to mobilise the whole strength of Britain for h^war effort, the Government proposes to grade industries according to their character. Some industries will be regarded as non-essential, and others will be rationed in such matters as labour and raw material. It is proposed to ask men to enrol voluntarily in an army of war workers, but Mr Lloyd George indicates compulsory powers will be asked for if necessary. Mr Lloyd George has already secured the approval of trades unionists for his proposals.

SATURDAY. Battle on the Sereth — Germans Aiming, at Odessa — Transport Sunk in Mediterranean—Further Peace Manoeuvres. The Russians have stormed heights on the Transylvanian frontier of Moldavia, capturing 600 prisoners and guns.

French critics consider that the Germans hope to strike at Odessa, the Russian Black Sea port, from Roumania, and are of opinion that the battle of the Sereth, which has now commenced, will decide the issue.

The British transport Iyernia, of 14,278 tons, was torpedoed in the Mediterranean on New Year Day. Thirty-three of the crew and about 120 soldiers are missing.

A neutral who has visited Berlin states that Germany wants peace in 'order to prevent economical ruin, and the immediate motive of her overture was the internal situation, not the military situation.

Arrests of Venizelists continue in Athens, and Royalist newspapers are striving to provoke hostility to the allies.

Public uneasiness in Switzerland has caused the President to state that Germany has given the most definite assurance that she will respect Swiss neutrality.

MONDAY. Evacuation of Braila — Germans Reach the Sereth—Allied War Council In Rome — Austrian Politlcan Changes. The Germans have captured Braila, in Roumania, and their advance guards are before the Russian defensive line on the Sereth River.

The Russians have penetrated enemy positions on the Riga front.

A German raiding narty enters ed the British lines near Loos, but were driyen out after a sharp action.

The Italians repulsed a violent night attack in the Trentino, and carried their line forward 2QQ yards,

Mr Lloyd George, the Erenoh Premier, and their official ad-^ visers, have arrived ifl Rome, to confer with the Italian Govern^ njgnt on the general situation. <"y^rench writers anticipate a "^eiperate German blow on the western front early in the year. The Austrian Emperor is reparted to be making a clearance of all statesmen who were deeply involved with Germany. The fall of Count Tisza, Hungarian Premier, is expected; two undersecretaries, of the Austrian Foreign Qfl} cc ' who w.ere con* cecned 'in the ' machinations leg to ihe war, have resigned.

TUESPAY Allies and Greece — Blockade to Continue—Russians Slowly Retir* ing — Italian Success on the Carso. It is reported that the Greek Government has presented to the allies a memorandum embodying its objections to their demands, and pleading that there is a necessity for the greater pro-

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

tection of • Old Greece against "Venizelists ambitions. It is stated that the allies will now allow events, including the blockade, to take their course.

The Swiss critic, • Colonel Feyler, thinks that the Russians will abandon the Sereth line of defence and ultimately fall back on Pruth, thus virtually abandoning the whole of Roumania.

The Russians are slowly retiring before the German pressure in Moldavia, but are extricating their right wing from attempts to encircle it. They made a successful attack on a front of 15 miles north of Focshani.

German newspapers deny the statement that the peace terms of the Central Powers have been secretly furnished to Mr "Wilson.

France has renewed her pledge to respect the neutrality of Switzerland, and, following this, Germany has done the same.

The Italians have made an advance of 500 yards on the Carso Plateau.

WEDNESDAY Ultimatum to Greece — German Gains in Roumania — Russian Counter Offensive—Fighting on the Riga Front. The allies have sent a new Note to Greece, which is practically a 48 hours' ultimatum, The Russians have made strong attacks west of the Riga-Mitau road. A German communique admits that they extended recent gains on the Aa River, on the same front. The German's offensive in Roumania continues without relaxation. It is thought they are attempting to occupy the whole country. The enemy claims the capture of Fockshani and nearly 4000 prisoners. The German attacks on the Sereth line were completely unsuccessful. It is reported that the Pope will reply to both Germany and the United States that the time is inopportune for a definite peace movement. Travellers from Germany state that great preparations are being made for an offensive early in the spring.

THURSDAY Coristantine's Fears — Greece Expected to Yield—The Struggle for Moldavia — Russian Attacks on Riga Front.

It is thought that King Constantine, not caring to risk his capital and his throne, will yield to the allies' ultimatum. The food crisis in Greece caused by the blockade is acute. Venizelists are leaving Athens in large numbers for Salonika and the islands.

The Russians have taken up new positions on the line of the Putna and Sereth Rivers, They are tenaciously defending the approaches from the Transylvanian Alps to the Moldavian Plain. The Austrians and Germans were repulsed in a battle on the Wallachian front,

The activity of the Russians on the Riga frqnt d.ur4ng the past few days h.as, been intended to ease the pressure on Roumania. The Russians in this sector appear to have plenty of munitions and large reserves. Th,ey have made sudden attacks, and gained several successes. A resent British raid near Arras penetrated to the German third line. No opposition was met with. It is surmjsed that the Germans are nursing their ammunition- and holding their lines "th?n.ly. It is reported that Germany will issue a rejoinder to the allies' reply to the peace overtures.