STUBBORN RETIREMENT OF RUSSIANS IN MOLDAVIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7, 8 January 1917, Page 5

STUBBORN RETIREMENT OF RUSSIANS IN MOLDAVIA.

EXTRICATE THEMSELVES FROM FALKENHAYN'S CLUTCHES. SWISS EXPERT PREDICTS FURTHER RETREAT. Kβw Zealand Press Association.—Copyrlcnt) (Australian and Netv Zetland Cable Association and Rcuter.) (Received 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, January 7. Xhe Germans have advanced slowly from the Fochani line, and pressed back the Russians, who are apparently successfully extricating their right wing from General yon Falkenhayn's eficircling manoeuvres. Colonel Feyler, the Swiss military critic, writes:—"lt now seems clear ihat the Sereth line must perforce be abandoned. Stubborn rearguard actions ire likely with a view of covering the evacuation of Galatz, which is scarcely tenable now that Braila has gone." Colonel Feyler anticipates steady fighting in the retreat across Moldavia to the , Pruth line of defence. This would imply the surrender of the whole of Rumania, but it would also mean a still further elongation of tie German and Bulgarian lines of communication and a corresponding drain on their resources and men. The River Sereth runs down practically the centre of Moldavia from tie direction of Bukowina, and empties itself into the Danube at Galatz. The Pruth River forms the boundary between Rumania and the Russian province of Bessarabia.