THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

I LOSS OF CONSTANZA. A DISAGREEABLE BLOW. EFFECT ON ROUMANIA. RUSSIANS WILL DO ALL POSSIBLE. Times Scr Received Oct. 24, 0.50 p.m. London, Oct. 24. CSlonel Repington reports that the loss of Constanza was due to reorganisation of the.German man power, reducing a number of battalions so as to make between 20 and SO new divisions, thus enabling Field Marshal von Hindenberg to create new anti-Roumanian armies. General von ilackenseivs renewed advance indicates the arrival of important reinforcements, possibly Turks. The Dobrudja is not a vital theatre, but the loss of Constanza is a disagreeable blow, as well as a tactical defeat limiting Russian reinforcements, reducing Roumanian strength, and impairing Roumanian confidence.

The Salonika offensive is only able to help Roumanian indirectly. Russia alone can directly succour, and General Alexieff will do his utmost to counter' act yon Hindenberg's dangerous schemes,

MACKENSEN'S STRATEGY.

SAPIDITY OF 'MOVEMENT, IMPORTANCE OF CONSTANZA RUSSIAN DIFFICULTIES. Received Oct. £4, 11.40 p.m. London, Oct. 24. The success of general von Mackenscn's unexpected attack liar renewed public anxiety as to Roumania's ability to counter the fierce Austro-German assaults. It is understood that General von Mackensen now commands a third of the Bulgarian Army. A considerable stiffening of Germans, together with many Turks, has been added to it since General Mackcnsen's reverse of September 20th. After breaking the RussoRoumanian left wing, capturing the fortified centre of Topraisar, General von Mackensen pushed on instantly for fifteen miles, displaying a remarkable faculty for improving on a victory which is his chief military virtue. He was thus able to throw his army, within twenty-four hours, across the railway, cutting off Constanza. It is feared that large stores of petroleum and cereals are stored in Constanza docks, which cover 150 acres, and are able to store seventy thousand tons of grain. Constanza, is also the headquarters of 757 Roumanian merchant ships. The capture of the town means the loss of the shortest line of communication between Bucharest and Odessa via the Black Sea, and increases the difficulty of preventing the enemy crossing the Danube and cutting the Russian land communication with Bucharest. Other Russo-Roumanian difficulties arise from the fact that the army cannot retreat northward, because it is vital to keep in contact vVith Ceruovada bridge, which is the sole means of communication across the Danube to Bucharest.

General Polivanoff, formerly Russian War Minister, is joining the Roumanian headquarters.

ROUMANIAN RETREAT INEVITABLE.

STUBBORN FIGHTING ON OTHER FRONTS. FALIvEN-HAYN'S STRENGTH Received Oct. 25, 12.3-5 a.m. London, Oct. 24. If General von Maekensen lienis the Russo-Roumanian's into tile small semicircle of territory before Cernavoda the Roumanians will ifmd the 'bridgehead very costly to defend against the conditions of modern artillery fire. If a retreat is eventually necessary the passage of the bridge will be an operation fraught with the utmost danger. The fact that General von Mnckensen claims no prisoners indicates tliat the Roumanians have retreated bevoud the railway in accordance with their plan. There is stubborn fighting on the other Roumanian fronts, but only in the porthern seStor 13 a tendency to drive back the enemy apparent. General von Falkenlmyiv's troops have a footing on the Roumanian side of at least 'five passes. It is estimated that von Falkenliayn has 14 divisions In Transylvania.

It is noteworthy that the AustroHungarian. war correspondents in Transylvania continually insist on the difficulties confronting General von .Falkenhayn, and say that snowfalls .rjay delay his advance.' Roumania is able to draw 011 Russian reinforements. and the Central Powers must dc satisfied if the enemy is kept out oi Hungary.

EFFECT OF A DELUGE

SERBIANS IN iPRECARIOUS POSITION AFTER VICTORIOUS ADVANCE. Received Oct. 24, G.lo p.m. London, Oct. *23. 'Mr. Ward Price, in a communication from Salonika, states that the break in the weather came unfortunately for the 'Serbians. After they captured Brod and Veliselo they reached the crest of the hills a league from Cerna, capturing trenches on the mountain side. They finally' surrounded an important redoubt, 'but tile rain became a deluge, preventing further attack;!. The delay is regrettable for many reasons, as the •Serbians had begun to widen the breach of the enemy line, and it is now dillicult to send up supplies. Besides this, it has given the enemy time to bring up reinforcements. RAIDS ON STRUMA FRONT. London, October 23. War Office reports that the FrancoBritish raided 'the trenches at Bejlihninli on the struma front, taking pri aimers. We also raided near Dautti ou thd jJoiran front. "" ~ \