THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1917, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

ENEMY OFFENSIVE REPULSED SUCCESS OF ROUMANIANS. RUSSIANS CAPTURE VILLAGES. Received- Tan. 4, 7.10 p.m. (Admiralty, per Wireless Press.) London, January 3. A Russian official report states: The enemy offensive in the Zalogev region, and Koyiimba to Suleha river valley, was repulsed and portion of the trenches were regained. The Roumanians, attacking to the north of the Kazuro river, also drove back the enemy. Eastward of Sopehan, on the upper Inehiza river, the enemy were reinforced and pressed back the Roumanians to the former position. The Russians have captured Giliariko and two other villages south-west of the Rouiinik river.

| FRENCH PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. TO KING OF ROUMANIA, Eeoeivcd Jan. 4, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Jan. 3 Poincare, replying to the King of Roumania, stated that he-was firmly convinced that 1017 will bring the Roumanians victory, liberation and reparation. AUSTRO-GERMAN CLAIMS. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuters Admiralty, per Wireless Press. Received Jan. 4, 5.5 p.m London, Jan. C. A German official report states: Macin and .Jiyita have been captured. An Austrian official report states: j Austro-Germans expelled the enemy from Miera, north-west of Milcov, and repulsed strong enemy attacks southeastward of Harja with heavy losses, | and took prisoner 130 Russians eastward j of Zloczow. ! BRUSILOFF IN ROUMANIA. CONFERENCE, WITH FERDINAND, London, Januar" 3. The late.st news from Roumania states that General 33rusiloff has arrived at headquarters to confer with Kinc Ferdinand and the French military adviser, Despite the resistance from tiie RussoRoumanians, General von Mackensen is pushing on to Braiia and Focsani. The enemy has also broken throug 1 the Carpathian passes into Moldavia, and is forcing a way down a valley leading to the Seretli, whose rapid' urrent makes a passage most lm>:ardou.\ It jj an admirable spot in liusso-Rouman-ian stand. Thus U. the German advance from the Moldavian highlands is nearly all in the valley; I the Seretli line proves mtenabk yvinj; to the enemy converging from was- -*nd south, the Russo-Roumanian'r. will probably retire beyond the Bessarabian -frontier, the Germain, meanwhile carrying out demonstrations and preventing the Russians Rending fresh effectives southwards, also increasing activity at r>hikserada in order to hamper the. Russian freedom to manoeuvre. The length of the Russo-Roitmanian front, beginning at Tchikserada, shifting to the Seretli, and terminating at Braila, is 200 kilometres (12.1 miles).

POSITION AT SALONIKA. DAILY MAIL'S ENQUIRIES London, January 3. The Daily Mail asks what the Salonika army is doing. German reports suggest that 200,00 c Bulgarian; are holding up 430.000 AIHoe. The Allied army might well have turned the scale in the west in litlG. Germany's "vulnerable point, the great Balkan railway, is nowhere within reach', as between Salonika and the railway there stretches an expanse of roadless mountains, which no modern army is able to traverse. The Germans have railways. which v.e lack: they have secure communications and no fear of submarines. The Allied armies would he delighted if the Salonika mistake could he undone, FRANCE RECOGNISES VEXIZELGS. Paris, January 1 The Government har appointed a diplomat at Salonika and recognises the Venizelist agent in Paris. M. Caillaux, who h at Naples, denies ihe story cabled on December 2!) respecting his alleged peace mission.

GERMAN REPORT. London, Januar\ A German official despatch states tliat the Arcliclulvo Josef repulsed witlj heavy losses strong attacks against Mount Faltucami, and stormed several hills between Susita Valley and Putnn Valley. Ho repulsed Rtisso-Rouinanian counter-attacks and occupied Barsosos ami Topesci after a battle General von Mackenseii is further progressing. He stormed throe position: in the Foesany region 'and pushed hack the Russians in the Dubrudja, despite stubborn resistance.