The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1916. ROUMANIA'S IMPROVED PROSPECTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1916. ROUMANIA'S IMPROVED PROSPECTS.

Hindenburg's determination to deliver a crushing; blow on Roumania has naturally caused interest to be concentrated on that theatre of the war. The loss of Constanza, was disconcerting, but of itself did not signify more than a difficulty that could be overcome by adequate forces and munitions. For some days there was anxiety lest the enemy onslaught should develop to a dangerous extent, but a recent cable from London stated that official Roumanian circles there were of opinion that the worst was over. We have also had news from Switzerland to the effect that the RussoRoumanian pressure on the Wallnehian front has inflicted such serious losses on the Germans that von Falkenhayn was forced to appeal for .heavy reinforcements, which, lie stated, were absolutely necessary to cheek the Russo-Eoumanian offensive, and it was reported that von Maekcnscn had sent a division from the Dobrudjn, to help Fnlkcnhnyn. The onlyway in which Roumania could.withstand the advance of the enemy was by large reinforcements of Russians. The Czar pledged his word that every pos.'ible aid would be given, and it would a [fear that this pledge has been fulfilled, otherwise we should have heard of the enemy's advance. Early in the present week a Bucharest communique declared that the Roumanians had taken Pisoul, in the Trotns Valley, and that the enemy fled in disorder. It was also st.tled that the enemy had been driven !«--!; in the Uzul Valley, leaving 000 prisoners and much booty. The Trotns Valley runs from the Gymes iPass, on the .Moldavian front, while the Uzul Valley is a few miles to the south, between the Gymes and the Oitoz Passes, They also stated that on the Wallachian front *hey had captured 300 prisoners in the Dra.joslnvcle region, and had completely vanquished the enemy in the Jull Valley, in the Vulcan Pass sector, a thousand of enemy dead being left on the field. At this last-named point the enemy were recently making progress, and threatening to break through. It would seem, therefore, that the Roumanians ha\c been delivering counter-attacks with commendable vigor and effect, and it is evident that very large reinforcements of Russians must have, come to hand, so there is a distinct probability that Hindenburg's scheme of vengeance may prove a dangerous, futile, and costly effort. Apparently Mackensen's plan was to continue the pursuit in the Dobrudja, and push on towards the Danube delta, indicating thereby that he is not strong enough to cross the river with a powerful Russo-Roumaniar force on his flank. He cannot do the Roumanians any serious harm in the Dobrudja, and his being held up would give time to gather a sufficient Russo-Ronmanian force to drive the enemy back. The brilliant victory gained by the Roumanians at the Szurduk Pass, in Western Wallachkt. is of the utmost importance It is at the Predeal Pass that the greatest pressure of the Austro-Germwvs is being felt, and it is here they are making some progress towardc Kampulung—a railhead town—but the great point is that the enemy is making no headway with his offensive, while the local successes gained by the Roumanians clearly demonstrate they are slowly but surely getting the upper hand. Their ability to improve their position and prospects depends, howcvei, as much on the measure of Russian help as on their own power. Germany lias no available men to spare from any of the fronts, as she learned to her cost at Verdun. With adequate Russian help, there should be no difficulty in preventing Ma-kensen's advance towards the mouth of the Danube, and it is quite conceivable that he may beforo long find his position one oE extreme danger, from which an ignominious retreat would be his only way out. The country is full of hills, swamps, lakes, and woods, whereas if the Russo-Roumanians are forced to retire to a place of safety, they can do so easily and rapidly, but thero is no reason why they should not hold-their ground. Roumania'* position has certainly improved, and the outlook for the Allies in the Balkans is fairly bright, and it will be infinitely better wh»i>, as is hoped, the great Russian movement in Galicia has been carried out successfully, and the Salonika force makes greater progress than it has during the oast few months.