THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1916, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

BUCHAREST IN DANGER. ENEMY WITHIN EIGHTEEN MILES, A STRONGLY FORTIFIED CITY.

Received Dec. 1, 5.5 pm.. Amsterdam, Nov. .10. In view of < tlie fall of Kambolung, and/ General von Mackensen's continued advance, experts are less optimistic as to the chance of saving Bucharest. It is unlikely that heavy long-range guns have yet reached the vicinity, but the German advance guards are within IS milts of the capital. General Brialmont planned the Bucharest forts to resemble .those of Antwerp. They are based on belts, tho forts surrounding an inner circle, with advanced defence works of steel, protected by cupolas of mobile armored towers, armed with guns, which can easily be brought to bear on threatened points as a whole. The circle of fortifications is connected by railways. All the armor and guns were obtained Irom Krupps. The defence of the fortress will require at least 100,000 men. VIOLENT ACTIONS.

ON WHOLE NORTH-WESTERN FRONT. Received Dec. 1, 5.5 p.m. Bucharest, Nov. 30. A Roumanian communique states-. Violent actions, occurred on the whole north-western front, Wo progressed at Buzeu and Prahova valleys. Violent actions are in progress on Glaxaciro. The situation on the southern front is unchanged.

A BATTLE PROCEEDING. IS THE WOODED CARPATHIANS. Received Dec, 1, 5.55 p.m. London, Nov. 30. A Russian communique states:—ln the wooded Carpathians we took possession of the Rukada height. A battle is proceeding on the heights east of Kirlebaba, the latter being under our five. The enemy occupied Koman, 17 miles .south-south-east.

COMPULSORY CIVILIAN SERVICE \ HOLLWEG BECOMES PIOUS. London, Nov. 30. Herr von Betbmann-Hollweg, in the Reichttag, in introducing the Compulsory Civilian Service Bill, said an insatiable war is still raging. Their enemies hailed last summer as victorious, but couid they impose their will upon them? The-v lines were still unbroken. God had helped them hitherto and would continue to help them. Roumania, which was brought to a revolutionary change, was paying the penalty. Their enemies did not desire peace, yet they were much superior numerically and almost tiie entire world sunplied them with war materials. The results were shown in the Somme lighting.

Every day the war was prolonged made the organisation of industry a more decisive factor. They therefore had determined to cvganise the entire industry of the whole nation. Compulsion could only succeed if it represented the voluntary decision of the entire people. „ Amsterdam, Nov. 30. In the Reichstag, a committee's criticism resulted in the Government revising the Civilian Service Bill, by which tlw Reiehstag will control its administration

SOCIALISTS OPPOSE THE BILL.

Received Dec. 1, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Nov. 30. Herr von Bcthmann-Hollweg, in the Eeichstag, indicated that voluntary means would be utilised for carrying out the irass levy before compulsion was applied. Speakers generally approved the Bill, but a representative Socialist minority declared that the party rejected the measure because it deprived the workmen of the right to choose their place of abode. Even if the enemy were in Germany he could not treat the population worse than the Bili proposed. These views aroused great commotion and angry protests. AN OFFER TREATED WITH CONTEMPT. Amsterdam, Nov. 30. In the Bulgarian Parliament the Premier stated that, prior to the Roumanian entry into the war, Bulgaria offered not to attack Eoumania if the hitter gave the Dobrudja to Bulgaria. Roumania did not reply.

ENEMY CONSULS ARRESTED. Received Dec, 1, 5.5 p.m. Athens, Nov. 30. The British have arrested enemy Consuls in Syria, and removed them, with their families, to a warship, for conveyance to an unknown destination. 2EPPELIN LOSSES. Copenhagen, Nov. 30. The Vossiselie Zeitmig declares that <he latest loss of two Zeppelins is undoubtedly due to the enormous strengthening of the British air defence. It says that the commanders of tiie destroyed raiders, Captain Diedrieli and Naval -Lieut. Frankcnburg, were among the ablest officers in Germany. SENSIBLE EMPLOYMENT OF CROWS PRINCE. Copenhagen, Nov. 30. The Crown Prince of Germany has left Berlin to attend the funeral of the late Emperor Franz Josef.

THE EXPELLED MINISTERS. London, Nov. 20. Bulgaria has protested to neutrals against the expulsion of the Ministers of the Central Powers from Athens as an inault to the right of nations.

NAVAL AIR RAIDS.

SEVERAL TOWNS BOMBED. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter, Received Dec. 1, 5.5 p.m. l.»ondon, Nov. 30. The Admiralty reports that naval ail' squadrons make daily raids on the Bulgarian coast. Between the 23rd an<l 2Sth November they bombed Karjani, Anjestn, and the railway station and eamp at Rajolivos. They also considerably damngo'l the aerodrome at Drama, and attacked Ponu and Doksambos. They made repeated attacks on Drama anu Anjti-ta, with satisfactory results. ' KAMPOLUNOJ CAPTURED. London, Nov. .10. A German oflicial report announces the capture of Kanipolung, south-west of the Prcdeal Pass. BOMB RAID ON PRILEP.

Paris, Xov. 30. A communique states: Nothing important lias occurred in Macedonia, whore rain and fog lu.ve interfered with operations. Our aircraft dropped lmmy bombs on Prilep.