The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1916. THE ALLIES' PROGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1916. THE ALLIES' PROGRESS.

It is only a few days ago that something like a feeling of concern, which in tha case of the timorous became anxiety, was caused by the enforced retreat :>f the Roumanians from their advanced position in Transylvania. In ordinary circumstances such a temporary set back would have been scarcely noticed, but it was the knowledge that the Germans were, throwing their utmost available strength against the Roumanians, more as a punitive effort than as part of tho war programme, that; caused a feeling of uneasiness. That the position was regarded as serious by a section of the British politicians is evidenced by tho questions asked in the Hoiue of Commons, to which carefully worded replies were made indicating that r.li possible help would bo given to the Roumanians, but those who calmly and intelligently followed the events in the Balkans were never in doubt as to the outcome of Germany's vengeance policy. Roumania's position has since been made perfectly clear, and with the help of tho Russians there : s little if any doubt that her objective will be attained. The retirement from Gonevala was immediately followed by the capture of a couple of mountain passes in the Vulcan region and tha repulse of the Austro-Germans on most other fronts. The appeal of the King of Roumania to the Allies evinced the existence of natural anxiety as to the outcome of tho crisis, but it also indicated confidence in success. To King Constantino is attributed (rightly or wrongly) a statement that Roumania would cease to exist in fifteen days, an opinion which plainly indicates his wishes, but is otherwise of no value. It is quite conceivable that this treacherous monarch considered the Roumanian* would suffer the same fate as tho Serbians, for whose defeat he was mainly responsible,- but whereas Serbia had at most probably only 400,000 men when the country was invaded, the Roumanians can muster about a million, while the Russian forces available for rendering effective help must be very large. Knowing what we do of thn enormous difficulty experienced by Germany and her allies in finding sufficient forces and munitions to withstand the pressure on all the war fronts, it is reasonable to assume that their pro ponderance on the Roumanian front cannot be great, so that a few hundred thousand Russians would easily turn the scale, and these reinforcements have been arriving. Latest cables indicate that the climax of General Brusiloff's great push from the Pripet to the Roumanian border is near at hand. In addition to this the Odessa line is connected with the Roumanian system by a line to Reni, on the Danube, to that troops despatched to the latter plac? would be within easy reach of the thro? principal Roumanian fronts—Brasso, tha Dobrudja, and south of Bucharest. Another favorable factor is to be found in the military mission now on its way from France, headed by General Bertliilot, who collaborated with General Joffn: on the Manic, for such a mission cannot tail to have an inspiriting effect on the Roumanians. According to the latest news from the Balkans, the Russo-Rou-manians have not only been able to hold theirfown, but have compelled Generals von Falkenhayn and von Mackcnscn to suspend their offensive and act on the defensive. This is very satisfactory and justifies the ibelief that the oris:-: is over, although it may be expecte'! that a concerted offensive of the Allies will take place. On the West the nev.A is also gratifying, the Anglo-French forces continuing their victorious offensive. The notable success of the French in capturing Sailly-Saillisel and the heights north of the village is a material step in the, advance ok Bapaume and Peronnc. The Italians have also done well by capturing the redoubt on the "Tooth of Passubis,"' thereby depriving the enemy of one of his most important strongholds. , Altogether the progress of the war is in tho. Allies' favor, and that is the most \ve can expect for the present, but there In a promise of big events coming tu a decision within the next few weeks, and by that time preparations for tho winter campaign should be well in hand.