OUR LUCK

Evening Star, Issue 16280, 24 November 1916, Page 6

OUR LUCK

WHERE WE FAIL.

GREAT CHANCES WASTED. THE REASON. MACEDONIA. [By Crtocus.] Ilie situation in Rumania is even more obscure, to-day than yesterday. London announces that no communique; kis been issued at- Bucharest since Sunday, and there is no information regarding the fall of Craiova or the western retreat. But a German communique makes the strangeclaim that the enemv progressed near Orsova. If they are" fighting there it means that tho Orsova- force has been cut off by the successful thrust of the eucmv down the. Jiul Valley. This is not iimprobable, if tho statement of tho retrograde correspondent of the 'Daily Chronicle' that the Rumanians retired 35

CAN THEY DO IT?

What aro the Russo-Rumanian chances of bringing ofE such a coup? It may be called to mind that five or six days ago •they were tiSdng"tho offensive in the Dobrudja, apparently with superior forces, as well as on the Torzeburg sector. Then came- the news that firing alonrr the Danube and in the Dobrudja had" died down, at the same time that the admission was made that tho enemy wero progressing in the Jiul Valley. No doubt troops wero being withdrawn for Western! Wallachia. Now, what would the Germans have done in such circumstances? They would have worked like tigers.at the fortification of their' front in the Dobrudja, in order that it might bo held by tho minimum number of men and guns. 'Then they would have ta.llen advantage of their inner line to swiftly transfer a°large part, or even the bulk, of their Dobrudja forces to Western Wallachia for a counterstroke. This would hj% facilitated by our southern advance, which is forcing tho enemy to send troops to Macedonia, while' in Wallachia the communications of the Russo-Rumanians aro altogether superior. Such a policy, vigorously carried out, would involve the enemy's force at Craiova in disaster, and would revolutionise, the- situation. Perhaps the talk about a blow against Mackensen is bluff to conceal tho carrying out of such a move. But if the Allies are again not ready for their chances tho rinfof "bad luck" may be expected to continue.