THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

FALL OF CONSTANZA ANNOYING, BUT NOT IRREMEDIABLE, EVACUATION PREPARED I OR. London. October 24. French experts compare the fall of Constanza to the capture of Charleroi or Maubeuge at the beginning of the war. It was annoying, but not irremediable. The experts point out that the port is not much use to the Germans, as the Russian fleet will make the of the invaders uncomfortable, and before there is time to lay mines or establish a submarine base it will be hazardous for Mackensen to continue his advance far on the loop of the Danube towards the •Bcssarabian frontier, and the Russian command is fully aware of the importance of checking the German invasion. Bucharest, October 25. It is reported that the. enemy has jfaken little booty at Constanza. The evacuation had been decided upon, for some time. ROUMANIANS' POSITION. dERMANS STRAINING RESOURCES; TO REMOVE -MENACE. I THE OBJECT IN VIEW. Received Oct. 25, 11.1" p.m. London, Oct la. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says that the growing interdependence on the Russian and Roumanian fronts corresponds with the energy of General von Falkenhayn's advance. It is now recognised that Roumania 19 a strategical factoi of the utmost importance, and the Germans are straining their resources to the utmost, not only to avert the menace to their Balkan cotamunication3, but to secure the advantages which the subjection of Roumania would give, namely, to hold the mouth of the Danube, the outflanking of the Russian left, and obtaining a fresh supply of grain. The battles in Galicia and Volhynia are now subsidiary until the issue iu Roumania is decided definitely in our favor. The German plan seem? to be a combined advance in the Brasso region and Dobrudja - , to cut across Roumania, thereby seizing the greater part of Wallachia, including Bucharest. « ROUMANIAN DIFFICULTIES. OWING TO MARSHY GROUND. TRENCHES 1-ILLED WITH WATER. MACKENSEN'S SUPERIOR FORCED PREVAlL'Reeeived Oct. 20, 12.45 a.m. London, Oct. 25. The Daily Telegraph's correspondent at Rome states that information via Switzerland shows that the Roumanians found the positions most difficult to hold being in the marshy region leading to Constanza, in the face of General von Maekcnsen's overwhelming forces. The infantry and artillery of the Bul-gar-Germans renewed the offensive. After receivin? large reinforcements of troops, guns, arid ammunition, General von Mackensen commenced a furious action against the Roumanians along Trajan's ■wall, and forced the line at various points. Owing to the. impossibility of constructing trenches and shelters in the. marshy ground, the trenches quickly filled with water, above the men's waists and sometimes nve.- their Consequently an open battle ensued, wherein Maekensen's superiority in men and guns became apparent. BULGARIAN REPORT Amsterdam, October 24. A Bulgarian communique says:—The cavalry entered Constanza on Sunday afternoon and detachments occupied Tslismetope, ten miles north-west of Constanza, in the evening, also the village of Alagapa, near the railway. The Kaiser has congratulated the Czar Ferdinand. ROUMANIAN REPORT London, October 24. A Roumanian communique says:— There is no change at Tulges or Bicazin, or in the Trotus Valley. Wt repulsed the enemy westward of the Uzul Valley. The enemy made three attacks or Predeai, also on Dragoslavele, but was repulsed. He also made violent attacks and slightly advanced in the Jiul Valley. In the Dobrudja the attacks continue. Our left wing retired towards Caramur. at. The enemy has occupied Constanza. VON WIEGAND'S VIEWS New York, October 24. The strengthening Roumanian resistance is described by Mr. von Weigand in a dispatch to the World dated "With Falkenhayn's army between Bucar and Kimpolung, October 18." "Slowly and steadily the Roumanian attempts to check Falkenhayn's three columns through the passes southward of Kronstadt are becoming stronger and more energetic. Not until they reached Bucar did the Roumanians seems to catch a breath of demoralisation and now it appears to have given way to organised resistance and desperate attempts to assault the advancing col umns, which for bravery, tenacity, and technical skill are surprising, have, taken place in the last few days, while formerly there was a lack of these qualities, In consequence Falkenhayn's columns which for bravery, tenacity, and technical skill are surprising, have taken place iu the last few days, while formerly there was a lack of these qualities. In consequence Falkenhayn's columns have slowed down. The Roumanians appear to have many more guns than in the defence of the Predeai Pass and much better accuracy."