THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

THE FALL OF KRAJOVA.

FALKENHAYN'S SUCCESSFUL MANOEUVRE. London, Xov. 22. . Vienna messages indicate that Krajova fell early on Tuesday. English newspapers accept the news, especially as the Russians admit that the Roumanians retired east of the junction where the branch from Tirgujin meets the main line from Orsova. Nothing is known of the position of the Orsova garrison. If Orsova is evacuated it will re-open the Danube to AustroGerman transport to Bulgaria, via Vidin, and give the enemy new lines of invasion from Bulgaria. Krejova has a population of 52,000, and is vhe centre of a grain-growing and cattle district, though it is of mint, importance compared with Central ind Eastern Roumania.

Apparently General Falkenhayn pushed his big guns through the Vnican Pass and out-manoeuvred the western Roumanian defence. The Germans throughout have shown skill in taking advantage of such collapses. The immediate aim is probably to secure the line of the Alt, bringing the armies of Falkenhayn and Maekensen into closer connection. Roumania. however, is a regular gridiron of valleys and mountain ranges running north and south, making Falkenhayn's advance eastward difficult. Rome, Nov. 22. The Sofia correspondent Df the Messagero states that the newspapers foreshadow the evacuation of the Dobrudja. A wireless message states that a big battle has begun north of Krajova.

STRONG TURKISH ATTACK. REPULSED WITH ENORMOUS LOSSES. Received Nov. 23, 8 p.m. London, Nov. 22. A Petrograd communique states: Strong Turkish forces attacked south east of Oghyt, where the fighting continues. The Turkish offensive in the direction of Douroubjir, on the morning of the 20th, was repulsed with enormous losses, and we pursued them until the eventide

AN IMPENDING BLOW, AGAINST MACKENSEN. Received Nov. 23, 8 p.m. Paris. Xov. 22. M. Marcel Hutin, in l'Echo de Paris, says a big blow is impending against General Mackensen's army. Ample plies are available. SERBS CONTINUE ATTACKS. HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON ENEMY. Received Nov. 23, S p.m. London. Nov. 23.

A Serbian communique states: Yes. terday we successfully pursued our attacks on the whole line and captured the village of Budiniras, on the surrounding heights, inflicting heavy lasses. .The Allies also progressed.

THE FIGHTING AT MONASTIR, BULGARIANS' CONSTERNATION.

London, Nov. 22. A French communique states that a thick fog in the region of Monastir hindered operations. The enemy is strongly resisting on the line of heights from Snegovo, four kilometres north of Monastir, to Hill 1050, south-west of Makovo. We have taken 500 more prisoners. Our troops on the west bank of Lake Prespa are continuing to advance northward. Lonson. Nov. 22. The Sofia correspondent of the Daily C'hroniele reports consternation at the retreat from Monastir. It is admitted that the Germans and Bulgars lost 33.009 dead, wounded, and missing, many cannon. and a huge amount of ammunition. The newspapers blame the Germans, and state that the defeat is the consequence of their withdrawal of troops to Roumania. They express fear that the Allies' domination of Monastir, together with the linking up of the Italian Army in Albania, will render the Allies' right wing invincible and enable the centre and right wing to seize the Balkan railways and push forward to Sofia.

GERMANS FOR MONASTIR. CONSIDERABLE REIXFORC'E MENTS. Received Nov. 23, S p.m Paris. Nov. 22. At, least twenty-four fresh German battalions reached the Monastir front prior to the loth, and others have since arrived.

GERMAN REPORT, London, Nov. 22. A German communique says: North of Kimpolung the Roumanians made repeated fruitless attacks at the Roterturm I'ass and at Sidi. In the valleys of the Jiul and Alt we won ground.

NO NEWS FROM ROUMANIA. Received Nov. 24, 12.50 a.m. London, Nov. 23. No communique has been issued from Bucharest since Sunday. There is no Roumanian information regarding the fall of Craiova, or of the Wisbern retreat. ~ '

ROUMANIAN SITUATION SERIOUS.

RETIKE THIRTY-FIVE MILES IX Three days, deceived Nov. 24, 1 a.m. London, Nov. 23. The Daily Telegraph's Petrogrnd correspondent states that the situation in Uoimiania is evidently sorious. The capture o£ Falia>h, fiity miles south of the frontier, is important.

Within three days the Houmanians have retired 35 miles. It is noteworthy that this success was achieved in the jiul Valley, where the Roumanians recently routed the lltli Bavarian Division.

A Herman evening communique claims progress near Orsova.