THE RUMANIAN ARMY REORGANISED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3092, 24 May 1917, Page 6

THE RUMANIAN ARMY REORGANISED

YOUNGER GENERALS CAMPAIGN SUSPENDED BY \ SEVERE WEATHER ("Times" Correspondent with the Rumanian Army.) General Averescu, with the chief of the General Staff, General A. D. C. Prezan, is certainly the most beloved General with, the Rumanian troops. Their nomination as chiefs of tho new Rumanian armies has been received with the greatest satisfaction in all circles in this country. They are the only army commanders who have made no mistake in the autumn campaign, and whose troops were compelled to retreat, not by the enemy, but by circumstances over which they themselves had no control. Tho strictness of General Averescu is well known in his army. There is no pardon lor a coward, whoever lie may be. I was present a few days ago at the execution of a wealthy young cavalry reserve officer. Ho retired his detachment from a position without reason or order; he was tried and shot four days •V?' j,. aenera l Averescu is strict with delinquents, the bravo 'know that they will find in him their best friend and protector. His contact with the army under him is so close that ho gets to know of the smallest act-of bravery and rewards, as far as possible, personally, the man who has done it. lhe commanders of the divisions are all young men. The greater part of the campaign have been removed. Some nave been pensioned, some given insignificant commands in towns, and some mea. ine new divisional commanders have given nroof of their ability during had T%T' .l nd , some of them »'ho nad at the outbreak of war only the command of a regiment successfully lead a umsion to-day. The same procedure has been used with the Staff officers ininrif Wh i° ° H \ d tUeir 6ituation «% to seniority have been replaced by younger cfpacV h ' VB givefl »«*&«££ «„™ U t: !? eS ? chan & es h»ve lad a whole6 Spirit of the troops, who feel that they are led by wo'rthv ?5n ei !\ afcuraUy ' there -'e to a certors 'n, 0 BapS amoß £ the i uuior offers. Ihe resorve officers, however among whom the necessary selection has been made after eix months' campaign! have proved themselves reliable leaders H«"P 0{ this Army are in the benches, other groups are behind to be reorganised. The new recrudis, which have been drilled for eeveral months, are brought and incorporated in the old units. J.w-o or three weeks of war-drill-ing with the men of the old Army-are sufficient for the new recruits; and the wiite re-formed in this way aro sent to the front, to replace other groups which are brought behind the lines and reorganised in the same way. Food Difficulties, If tho conditions of reorganisation of the now Armies entitle us to see in bright colours the future spring campaign, it has also to be noted that Moldavia is certainly the poorest province of Rumania. The fields are not nearly so nch as those, of Wallachia and the work not so "intensive." There is hardly any industry (a few oilfields! and no-cattle-breeding. All tho land belongs to great landowners, and even in time of peace there was alwavs a scarcity of agricultural labour, and in order to fill tho gaps' the farmers had to bring workmen from the Bukowina. This year this scarcity has been felt more than ever owing to the war. After the loss of Wallachia. the majority of the inhabitants of Rumania, especially the townspeople, camo to Moldavia. To the enormously increased population ope must add the whole Rumanian Araiy, which has to be fed, and nart of the great Russian Army which has arrived since 0c« tober. Naturally, in such circumstances, the country has been suclced dry. Howover, by quick and energetic measures, by sowing and ploughing the fields in March for the summer harvest, the food position may bo in.proved. Congestion also makes the question of communication very difficult. But one may be sure that the competent authorities realise the situation and are taking the necessary measures.