ROUMANIA AT WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1916, Page 5

ROUMANIA AT WAR.

ROUMANIAN ACTIVITY. EFFORTS TO CAPTURE PASSES. THE KING IN COMMAND. CONSTERNATION IN ENEMY CAMPS. Geneva, August 29. The newspapers publish a message from Austrian headquarters that AiustroRounmnian lighting is in full swing on the Hungarian frontier, Roumania is making desperate efforts to capture important passes.

London, August 20. The Roumanian war declaration constitutes an indictment of Austria and Germany as war makers. Roumania foresees territorial and political changes menacing her future security and joins in order to accelerate peace. The Roumanians on Monday attacked on the whole front, obtaining successes. King Ferdinand 'has gone to the front and commands the army. Copenhagen, August 29. A Berlin telegram says that the Roumanian declaration of war has caused indescribable consternation and indignation, as the Teutonic and Roumanian commercial agreement signed only a few days previously lulled everyone into the belief that the storm had blown over and a great quantity of ammunition jrom Germany ihad been delivered in Roumania in exchange for grain, and will now be hurled back on the Germans' own heads. Petrograd, August 29. General Ilesco has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of Roumania. August 29. The Lokal Anzeiger announces'that General von Mackensen will command the Teutons who are opposing Roumania. Amsterdam, August 29, Roumanians decision had a crushing effect in Vienna, particularly in view oi the recent optimistic reports stating that difficulties were being settled. Austro-Hungarian newspapers proclaim that they are prepared for 'Roumanian entry into the war, AustroHungary has requested Holland to take over her interests at Bucharest, •Paris, August 29. The Matin relates aow Roumania obtained the necessary war material, A Roumanian military mission was established in France a year ago, and threequarters of Roumanian munitions were manufactured in France and England and conveyed to lloumania via Archangel and Petrograd.

London, August 20. King George telegraphed to King Ferdinand: "With great satisfaction your entry into the war was received by myself, my Government, and the whole nation. We rejoice that your valiant army will fight at the side of the Allies' •armies and bring' still nearer the approaching triumph of the great cause, hastening thereby the fulfilment of Roumanian aspirations." Lord Grey and Mr. Asquith sent cordial congratulation* to MM. Sonino and Bratianu respectively. M. Bourchier reports from Bucharest that Austrian monitors and batteries Bombarded the town, between the Iron Gates and Ginngevo, including Geverin. M. Bratianu's brother has been appointed War Minister. A report from Cologne states that the Kaiser heard of the Roumanian declaration of war while at Cracow, and is now rushing at top speed to, the Eastern headquarters. There is intense bitterness in Germany what is called Roumania's disgraceful action, There are outpourings of wrath in the newspapers. The Hague, August 20. The German Chancellor bluntly refused the Roumanian Minister a farewell interview. The Minister, with his staff, lc-ft Berlin on Tuesday by a special train. The Roumanian Minister to Austria joined the party at Vienna. Roumania has been munition making at high pressure for three months. ROUMANIA'S PREPAREDNESS. OVER A MILLION MEN AVAILABLE. London, August 29. The Morning Post says that a wellinformed authority states that Roumania has 800,000 men trained, equipped and ready for the field to-day, also 30(1,000 trained reservists. The authority states: "We have had money from England, guns from France, and transport from Russia." MR. ASQUITH'S FELICITATIONS. Received August 30, 5.40 p.m London, August 29. Mr. Asquith telegraphed to M. Bratianu the Government's sincere congratulations on Roumania's decision to side actively with the Allies ill the great struggle for liberty and right. '•There is no need to assure you that the real friendship so long existing between the two peoples will be strengthened and consolidated by the memorable action of King and Government." AUSTRIANS RETIRE PROM PASSES. Received August 30, 10.5 p.m. Vienna, August 30. A communique ieports: Our troops are fighting at all the passes on the Roumanian frontier. The enemy sustained heavy losses, especially in the region of Roterturm Pass, the- heights southwards of 'Brasso and Gzdbye mountains. A repetition of t'he attacks by strong Roumanian forces compelled our advanced forces to retire. ROUMANIAN PLANS WELL MADE. CRITICAL EFFECT ON BULGARIA. Received August 30, 8.5 p.m^ London, August 30. The Times' correspondent at Paris states that M. Briand, in an interview, said that while we must not anticipate too rapid military results, Roumania's preparation? are well made and licr plans are being speedily executed. Although Roumania declared war on Austria, the immediate effects of her intervention will probably be seen in Bulgaria, for whom itw flOSi£iqtt j* extremely critical,

ROUMANIAN OFFENSIVE. IN THE TiUNtSYLVANIAN ALPS. RAPID PROGRESS IMPOSSIBLE. Received August 30, 10.5 p.n. / Bucharest, August 30. When general mobilisation was proclaimed in the streets there were many scenes of enthusiasm, also on the declarations of war against Germany. Declarations against Turk?) and Bulgaria have not yet been issued. The initial Roumanian offensive has begun in the Transylvanian Alps, the Roumanians moving through the Roterturni Pass and in the direction of the Tlermannstadt ami Morsburg losses, the latter being 3,'500 feet high. Here the Roumanian objective is Brasso., The Rotertiirm Pass is only '10(10 feet high and very narrow, 'but is the easiest route to Austrian territory. Long after the Roumanians have reached Transylvania they will be fighting in a tangle of forest-clad 'hills, and consequently rapid progress is impossible. The Hungarians' also expect an invasion through the Vereiorova Pass, where Italian prisoners are preparing hasty defences. Tlio Roumanians here are aiming at the Banat of Timesvar, one of the dearest objects of Roumanian ambition. (Brasso is a royal free town, situated at the foot of the Transylvania Alps, Hungary, 70 mi • cast by south of Ilermannstadt, and strongly fortified. The population o. Biasso iii 1910 was CC,G2i{. It has manufactures of cloth, leather, cement, and candles, also petroleum refineries.)

• POWERFUL RUSSIAM OFFENSIVE. SUGGESTIVE PREPARATIONS. Received August 31, 12.30 a.m. 'London, August 30. The Russians ale throwing pontoons across the Danube at Rcni, where the Roumanians have erected miles of landing stages, suggesting a powerful Russian invasion through the Dobruja. (Reni is a Russian town in Bessarabia, on the Danube, 140 miles south-west'of Odessa.) TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM. AROUSED ON THE SOMME. Received August 30, 10.5 p.m. Paris, August 30. The news of Roumanian intervention reached the troops on the Somme on Monday and aroused tremendous enthusiasm. It was telephoned along the trench in front and conveyed to the Germans by airmen. Double wine and rations were served, and special concerts and other festivities organised.'

AMERICAN VIEWS MOST PROPITIOUS EVENT FOR ALLIES SINCE BATTLE OF THE MARNE. Washington, August 20. Roumania's entry,into the war is regarded in State circles as the most propitious event for the Allies since the battle of the_ Marne. New York, August '29. Mr. MacC'allum, manager of the largest cil company in Roumania, interviewed, says the factories in Roumania liave been working day and night for mont'hs in munition making. The country is now thoroughly equipped. The Central iPowers tave been depending largely on Roumania's great petrol supplies, of which they are now deprived.