THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

ROUMANIAN OPERATIONS.

I EXTRAORDINARY 0 ERJIAX EFFORTS London, Oct IG. A Kn.iiiiiiiiiaii communique *ays: Wo ".pulsed attacks in tlfe upper BiiazuzulOituz valleys. We withdrew southwards of Tahlebutzi and repulsed attacks at Predial. We occupied positions in the Alt region. Times Service. London, 0"f. 15.. Mr. Stanley Washburn, who is at Roumanian headquarters, stales that Roumanians position is extraordinarily important to the Allied cause. Herman occupation would give them valuable oil fields and wheat' Holds, nullifying the ell'eets of the blockade and greatly "prolonging the war. The German staff are making extraordinary efforts to strike a decisive Wow and crush Roumania, thus restoring their waning prestige. The number of the attacking troons is speculative, but the cold weather will permit withdrawals from the nortli-ea.rt front.

ROUMANIAN POSITION IMPROVED.

AD'VAXCE BY SARRAIL URGED,

FALKEXHAYN'S AIM. Received Oct. IS, 12.5 n.rn. London, Oct 17. The sitiintign in Roumania (O'.itinucs doubtful, though it is generally considered that the position has somewhat improved, as the Roumanian communique uhows that tiie Roumanians are stubbornly holding their own in tiie mountains, except at the Jksuu Pas.?, where they have withdrawn southwards. Nevertheless, the newspapers are asking whether the Allies are doing all that is pissihle to relieve the pressure. The two schools show diverse views, one asserting that to redouble the efforts on the West front would achieve the best •results, while on the other hand it is asserted that a Macedonian offensive offers 'better prospects. The Daily Chronicle declares that while tiie attacks on other fronts would be helpful, yet by far the most direct assistance would be rendered by any considerable advance by General Sarrail. Hitherto General Sarrail's army has scarcely risen to the full height tii its role. General von Falkenliayn's success ha? hitherto been largely due to his artillery's superior range. Though the situation at Luear causes anxiety, it is pointed out that the Roumanian position is now more advantage- [ OU3 than it was a week ago, when it had a widely separated front. The railhead at Kimpolung ought now easily to send reinforcements, whereas the road difficulties will probably restrict the Germans' further employment of heavy artillery. Von Falkenliayn's new attack "n tha Watra region will be watched with interest. It apparently aims at severing the Roumanians from the Russians,

THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE. •AUSTRIAN'S DEPORT SERBIAN'S. ■DESTROYING NATIONAL LIFE. Received Oct. IS, 1.15 a.m. Geneva, Oct. 17. It is stated that, following the Germans' example, the Austrians are deporting Serbian youths and girls to unknown destinations and breaking up families with the object of destroying national irfe. The American vepresenttive at Belgrade has protested. AN ENCOURAGING REPORT. Potrograd, Oct. IG. The enemy lines in the Dobrudjahave been withdrawn towards Sobritcb. _The Roumanian Dobrmljo. position is described as excellent. BULGARS DRIVEN BACK - . London, Oct 10. The War Office report from Salonika states that our patrols penetrated Bursuk, driving back the Bulgars. Oar naval aeroplanes- bombed Bakleridge.

DOMINION'S PART. SAMOAN GARRISON. Wellington, 'October lfi. Uolonnl Logan reports the following members of the Samoan garrison under medical treatment: —Lieut. Wollermaii, Privates Young and Andrew.

THE MEN AT THE FRONT. ASSURANCE OF CONS I ANT REINFORCEMENT. Auckland. October 13 An assurance that the Guvernment intends to see that full reinforcements leave at trie required times was given by the Hon. J. Allen (acting-Prime Minister) when addressing tlie ISth draft yesterday. He gave the men a message to convey to those at the front:. "Tell the men at the front," he said, "that you are only part of the men that will be regularly sent from New Zealand. Tel! "them that they never will be left short of men and that as long as the war "lasts drafts will be sent to take the. places of those who fail. Tell them that we are watching them aral earing for those they have left behind."