The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1916. THE INVASION OF ROUMANIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1916. THE INVASION OF ROUMANIA.

There has naturally been felt anxiety and concern with regard to the powerful offensive made by the Germans against Roumania, and it may be that undue importance has been attached to this Teutonic campaign of vengeance. Roumanian co-operation was gladly welcomed by the Allies, and it stands to reason that, any reverses suffered by our latest aliv must cause painful feeling, not only from a military point of view, but also on sentimental grounds. By this time the world is quite accustomed to German terrorism and frightfulness, so that the boasts as to tl'.e treatment that will !>e meted out to the Roumanians when—it ever—they find themselves beneath the spiked heels c.l the Huns may be taken for granted. It iu one thing to threaten jand quite another matter to perform. In this moraine's cable 9 will be found an

authoritative review of the Roumanian situation, aiul its perusal will materially assist thoso interested in the Balkans campaign to arrive at a more hopeful feeling as to the outcome of the present Merman oll'ons'vc in that region. Tlicic is in some quarters a disposition to blame Russia, France, and Britain for Roumanians present misfortunes, but that is only because the position of affairs is jiot accurately grasped, or : lie significance of the events leading uo to the present enforced retreat of the Roumanians sufficiently weighed. Wc are reminded by the cable referred to thatwhen Roumania joined the Allies, the Russians were making a vigorous offensive towards Lemberg, and it was believed that oy the Roumanians making the Russian left wing secure the offensive would be materially expedited. Evidently the Germans were of the same opinion, and they assumed a offensive. It then became Russia's duty to throw impoitunt forces towards Roumania, and this was done. Germany again followed suit. We are assured that the position in the northern Dobrudja is row perfectly secure, but while accomplishing this, the Russians have considerably extended their front, taking over Moldavia, and rendering impracticable the- German plan of cutting Roumania in two by operating on the Fogsani plain. Dangers are mostly serious or otherwise by comparison, so that if we compare the Roumanian./ position with that of the Russians when they were forced to retreat last yea-, or with that of Serbia when, isolated from their assistance, and betrayed by Bulgaria and Greece, she was overmastered for the time being; or, again, if we call to mind the startling surprise given to Belgium and France in the first days of the war, it will be at once seen that Roumania is far and away more advantageously placed, for the Central Power 3 no longer hold an unchallenged superiority on any front. It seems almost to be the irony of Fate that Germany, who entered on this terrible war with such grandiose dreams of world-con-quest, can only lay to her credit tiie crushing of siich small nations as the Belgians and .Serbians, and a temporary success against one of the small Balka'f States. It is little wonder that Poumania hesitate.! for ao long before making the fateful plunge, but, having dime so, she eT.'hibitea a marvellous spirit and intense determination. Without taking any defensive means of securing V.ic safety of their country from invasion, the Roumanians at once flung themselves into the fray, and then Hindenburg struck at her with the desperation o r a madman. This in itself disclosed wim Germany thov.rht was the value of' Rouinania's aid—that either Roumania or Germany must be broken, and naturally the Huns are driving to be the breakers. If wo regard the present position of t..« Roumanians in its true perspective, it will be seen that the Germans have failed to break through to Bucharest from the north, and their invasion of Roumania from the west brings them evc-r near to the main strength of the Allies in that sector. They have been letiring on a defensible line, and falling buck on supports, and are awaiting a concentration" of Russian forces. Tt is true tlicy have been hard pressed, uut though there is some anxiety on their account, considering how well they have extricated themselves from dangerous positions, wo are justified in expecting that the crisis will ere long be pised It should also bs remembered that >o far is tie main object of the war it; 'jonocrned, the German operations ii: lionmania will have no effect, on the ultimate issue of the struggle, even should the worst happen and Roumania be added to the list of Hun victims.