THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1917, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

SERETH LINE REACHED. IMPORTANT BATTLE IMMINENT. ROUMANIANS UNITED Received Jan. 3, 0.10 p.m. Petro'.'rnd, b:i. 3. The Russians have reached the Screth line, where an important Imirle is imminent. Mr. P.ourchiei, the war wiring from T assy the tempo, ar\ headnuartors of the Roumanians sports fhat. the KingV. speech to Parliament reiterated Roumanians determination to continue till victory U attained. The nation was esolute and onlideni. Politicians had closed up theii ranks and dropped party politics, all suppo ting the Coalition Government except av insignificant minority. A REPORT WITH AN OBJECT. INFLAMING THE AUSTRIAN POPULACE. Received Jan. 1, 12.50 a.m. London, Jan. 3. The Austrian military authorities have authorised the announcement that Russian, Roumanian, and English commissions have destroyed Roumanian cereals. The Austrian population are furious at the announcement ENEMY ACTIVITY. .".e.-eived Jan. 3, 5.30 p.m London, Jan. 1. A wireless Austrian official report states that the Austro-Germans are before the defensive lines of P.raila and Focuani. Archduke Josef has progressed in the Poulesoi and Sorieja regions. We stormed several positions south-eastwards of Harja. WITHDRAWAL FROM SALONIKA URGED. Received Jan. 3, fi.3o p.m. United Service. London, Jan. 2. The Daily Mail urges a partial or complete withdrawal of the Salonika expedition, which is a burden equalling that of Gallipoli, and is playing the enemy's game b} weakening the Allies, and is achieving no good, but is using troops warships, and shipping that are needed elsewnere. Tli malarious climate is prejudicial to the health of the troops. GERMANS CLAIM SUCCESS, (Admiralty—Per Wireless Press). London. Jan. 2. A German message states: We stormed hills and positions in the Oitnz Valley. General von Mackensen forced the Russians to further retreat, sharply pursuing and defeating their rearguard. The Außtro-Gcrmans are approaching l'ocsany. At Fundenn bridgehead position wc took 1300 prisoners. The Bulgar-Germans captured stubbornly defended Russian positions eastward of Braila and drove the enemy towards Mucin. nNEMY OFFENSIVE FAILS. (A. and N. - Cable Assn. and Reuter). London, JaJn. 2. A Russian official message states that an enemy offensive on the Moldavin frontier was dispersed, also enemy attacks north and south of Oituz Valley were repulsed. A Roumanian counter attack regained positions on the river Kazinn. Despite a continuous fierce attack oui Dobrudja detachments withdrew to new positions.