THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

THE CAPTURE OF CONSTANZA. STUBBORN ALLIED RESISTANCE. Received Oct. 27; S 0.n,. London, Oct. 27. The Austrian journal, tile Pester Lloyd, states that the infantry attack preceding the capture of ConstauM began after six hours' bombardment on the 20th. The defenders resisted stubbornly, especially the Russians, who were chiefly composed of younger drafts. The Turks had a large share in the victory. SUPPORTING ROUMANIA, ALLIES DOING EVERYTHING, •POSSIBLE. PESSIMISM DEPRECATED. Received Oct. 27, 5.35 p.m. London Oct. 27. Replying to iSir Edward Carson, Mr. Asquith stated, in the House of Commons, that he did not think it possible or desirable to say more than that the situation in Roumanian was Higasring he most anxious attention of nil the 411ies, They had taken for tveeks past and still were taking all possible steps to support Roumania in her struggle, and he hoped the House would not take unduly pessimistic views. Russia, France, Italy, and Britain were coneertedly taking measures with a view to enabling one another to render the utmost support. CONSIDERABLE BOOTY. CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY, Received Oct. 27, 6 p.m. London, Oct. 27 A Bulgarian communique st.it:*s that the Constanza booty includes live hundred railway trucks, several locomotives, numerous reservoirs of petrol, sheds and warehouses full of corn, and 70 Turkish barges which the Roumanians detained. ENEMY EVERYWHERE REPULSED. EXCEPT WEST OF JILT London, October 2G. A Roumanian communique says: We captured Mount Kirekharas, south of Bicaz, and repulsed the enemy in the Uzul Valley. Westwards the fighting continues in the Oitus Vallev, beyond the frontier. The enemy is being everywhere repulsed on the western frontier of Moldavia, retaining only small sections of the Uzul Valley between Sultza and Trotus. We repulsed attacks south of iPredeal, also at Dragoslavelc. The enemy progressed in the west part of Jiul Valley. General Dragolina. has been wounded. THE DOBRUDJA. ENEMY PRESSURE WEAKENED, London, October 20. A Russian official report says:—ln the Dobrudja the pressure has weakened. The assault near Kapul mountain failed. We occupied Bid jar, north-west of Hamadan, taking many prisoners. The Roumanians on the north-eastern front are superior to the enemy and the pressure has been arrested. ITALY BLAMES THE ENTENTE. Rome, October 26. The press severely criticises the Roumanian situation. The Tribuna argues that it wculd have been avoided by greater energy in Macedonia. The Messagero writes: "The Entente is late again." AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE. Paris, October 2G. M. Joseph- Reiriacji says that General Mackensen has succeeded in cutting off the Roumanians from the sea, but the blow is neither decisive nor Irreparole. The Russo-Roumanian army is intact and tenacious. The capture of the Constanza-Kernavoda railway is valuable to the Germans only if they seize the Danube bridges and viaducts. The destruction of the bridges would leave .Mackensen confronted with an immense: forest bordered by lakes and marshes. M. Reinacli expects that the Roumanians will quickly resume the offensive. CKRNOVODA BRIDGE BLOWN UP. Rome, October 20. The Roumanians have blown up the Cernovoda bridge. The impossibility of holding the Cernovoda bridge was due to Mackensen's heavy artillery being within six miles. He was able to smash up bridge in a moment, thus cutting off the Roumanians, who preferred to retire northwards, sacrificing the bridge, which cost a million and a-lialf. AIR RAIDS ON RAILWAYS. London, October 20. Jhe Admiralty reports that naval aeroplanes attacked railway stations at Buk and Drama and damaged rolling stock. One aeroplane has not returned. SERBIANS CAPTURE HEIGHTS. London, October 20. A Serbian communique says:—The Danube and Drina divisions captured the heights on the left bank of the Cerna. VILLAGES CAPTURED. London, October 20. A French communique says:—Southwest of Lake 'Prespa the cavalry and infantry occupied the Hvcgda bridges and the villages of Golobrda and Lalsica*