THE IMPORTANCE OF SALONIKA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 23 December 1916, Page 5

THE IMPORTANCE OF SALONIKA.

It is to Russia 's advantage that wo should hold on to Salonika, as she wishes to reach Constantinople, and wishes to see her left flank released from a deadlock. The Russians willrealise the position. That is not doubted for a moment, hut if it is true that they have given up the offensive in Dobrudja and are settling down in deep defensive trenches, such proceedings have a sinister outlook. Now that Bucharest and Ploesti have been captured and so much of the Danube is in the hands of the enemy, the offensive should be resumed with tremendous and terrific vigour in the Dobrudja until Constanza and the railway are again in the Russo-Roumanian hands. The defensive lines should be 20 miles or more south of Ccrnavoda and Constanza. At the same time operations should be carried along the whole front from before Lcmberg, before Halicz, at Jablonitza, along the Moldavian Carpathians and on the Wallaehian front along the Telcajen and Jablomita or wherever the Rnsso-Roumanians are able to pull themselves together between those streams and the Buzu. If the Russians do not begin a great drive almost immediately the Servians will lose what they have gained, and von Falkcnhayn will make a junction with the Greeks. Maybe, at the first sign of retreat from the Monastir district, Constantine will throw off all reserve and attempt to cut off the retreat upon Salonika if such a retreat be necessary.