RUMANIAN CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3162, 14 August 1917, Page 5

RUMANIAN CRISIS

GRAVE NEWS FROM RUSBORUMANIAN FRONT SIX DAYS OF VIOLENT BATTLE , ANOTHER AIR RAID ON ENGLAND' The news from the Husso-Rumanian front today is disquieting. A violent, battle has raged for the last eix daye, and the Allies liavo retired over a considerable depth of country. According to one correspondent the situation is serious, but not hopeless. The statement that tie Rumanian Royal Family will not leave Jassy .(the present capital), except on extreme necessity, furnishes a hint of the gravity of tho situation. On Uio Russian, main front tho enemy is encountering increased resistance, and he is being made to pay the maximum price for his gains. There are signs that the enemy's pressure on the front facing Odesa is slackening. General Korniloff is very hopeful that his armies will yet pull themselves together in tune to etrike a blow for the Allies at a psychological moment. Tho most cheering sign of the times is the conversion of ihe Soldiers' and Workmen's Council to the prime necesisty of putting everything else asido and concentrating on the immediate aim—ihe defeat of the invader. They realise at last that the freedom they have won must be fought for to be retained. Ohere are no material developments in the West. Tho New Zealand official correspondent (Captain Bos 3) sends an interesting , dispatch covering the fight of the New Zealanders at La Basse . Ville during the third battle of Ypres. The Wellington and Auckland men were in the hottest of the fighting, and stirring episodes are narrated- cf individual bravery and resource. Mr. Henderson's resignation has caused the greatest excitement at Home, and his speech in the House of Commons (to have been delivered yesterday), is being awaited with tho keenest interest. A leading Minister is reported to have said that a general election will possibly prove to be the only solution of the present crisis.

PRESSURE ON THE . RUSSO-KUMANIAN FRONT

STUBBORN FIGHTING REPORTED ENEMY SUFFERING HEAVY LOSSES (By Telegraph—Prem Atwoution—Copyright). 1 London, August 12. A Russian official report states: "Following on stubborn attacks, the Rumanians retired to Oknu, and westward of Gorozesce. A superior enemy force attacked the Focsani-Merechetestchi railway. Wβ counter-attacked, and took 1200 prisoners, but later we retired to (Orechosei iind Furconi. Wo captured an enemy position south of the Buzeu River." —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assii.-Iteutor.

DANGEROUS SITUATION AT JASSY (Rec. August 13, 9.30 p.m.) London, August 12. "The Times" Odessa correspondent states that owing to the closure of the frontier the situation at Jassy is regarded ne clangorous. The King and. Queen are unwilling to leave except on extreme necessity.—"The Times." BATTLE MGES WITH UNABATED VIOLENCE. (Roc. August 13, 11.5 p.m.) London, August 1.1 ■ Tho offensive against Rumania is continuing with unabated violence. 'J'ho tattle has bow lasted for sii days, and tho Allies have been driven back svo miles. Tho loss of tho loop lino.connecting tho two main railways in Moldavia constitutes a serious interference with the transit. A telegram describes tho advance as threatening the route to Jassy. Tho situation is serious, but not hopeless.—"Tho Times." THE LATEST-KING AND GOVERNMENT LEAVE JASSY (Rec. August 11, 1.30 a.m.) London, August 111. Von Mackensen's forces are driving back the Rumanians at Jlarasesti, and threaten to cut the retreat of the Rumanians who are fighting at Mona, so ,;s to enable the invaders to seoure the- grain crops tn Eastern Moldavia. The lung and tho Government have quitted Jassy for Russia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. " ENEMY'S PRESSURE DIMINISHING. Odessaj August 12. The enemy's operations on, the Rumanian front are rapidly diminishing in intensity, owing to their heavy losses and the desperate resistance of the Russians, who only fall back unwillingly and in obedience to strategic necessity.— Reuter. ■ THE SITUATION AT ODESSA RUMOURED EVACUATION DENIED. Petrograd, August 12. An official telegram from Odessa denies that the evacuation of the town is imminent.—Reuter. KORNILOFF HOPEFUL. Paris, 'August 12. General KornUoff has telegraphed to General Foeh: "I am convinced that after the restoration of firm discipline the Russian troops will very shortly bring full support to the Allies."—Router. THE DISGRACE OF THE GUARDS REGIMENTS DEPRIVED OF THEIR PRIVILEGES. Petrograd, August 12. General Korniloff ordered the Guards regiments which bolted at Tarnopol to forfeit all their privileges. Ho will replace* tho disgraced regiments after the war with those having a better record, who will form tho nucleus of the Republican Guard. A 'Ukrainian regiment, while entraining at Kieff for the front, fired on the Curassiera who were guarding the stations. After a fight in which fourteen men were killed and fifty wounded, the Ukrainians surrendered.— Reuter. THE DEMOCRACY FINDS ITSELF DANGER TO THE NATION AT LAST REALISED. H(oc. August 13, 3.30 pan.) London, August 13. Tho "'.Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent reports a significant obange in the attitude of the 'Workmen's and Soldiers' Council, which formerly demanded tho Stockholm Conference and a peace without annexations or indemnity, infsisttng that Russian blood must not be shod for furthering the Western Allies' Imperialist aims. The Council, now realising that Russian freedom is endangered, is endeavouring to re-establish the Army's fighting power, and issuing appeals, articles, speeches, and resolutions, declaring that this is now the supremo question. The Council has summoned a conference of tho trade unions and the militarv and naval organisations, with a view to mobilising tho whole of the forces of tho democracy to repel the invasion and increaso recruiting, subscriptions to the Liberty Loan, the output of munitions, and food supplies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cnblo Apsu.