Rumanian Campaigns.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 265, 25 October 1916, Page 5

Rumanian Campaigns.

Mackensen’s Coup in Dobrudja.

Im The Invaders Now Held.

[PBESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

[ACSTBAIJAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABI.E ASSOCIATION.]

London, October 24.

OUR ALLIES’ BELATED ADMISSIONS.

(Received 25, 11-45 a.m.) London, October 24.

Falkenhayn Penetrates Five Passes.

The success of General von Mackensen’s unexpected attack has renewed public anxiety as to Rumania’s ability to counter the fierce Austro-German assaults.

It is understood that General von Mackensen now commands a third of the Bulgarian army with a considerable stiffening of Germans, together with many Turks, added since Mackensen’s reverse on September 20th.

After breaking the Russo-Rumanian wing and capturing the fortified centre of Topraisar, Mackensen pushed on instantly 15 miles, displaying that remarkable faculty for improving his victories which is his chief military He was thus able to throw his army within twenty-four hours across the railway, cutting off Constanza. If Mackensen hems the Russo-Rumanians into a small semicircle of territory before Tchernavoda (on the Danube, and on the Constanza-Bucharest railway), the Rumanians will find the bridgehead very costly to defend against the conditions of modern artillery fire. If a retreat is eventually necessary, the passage of the bridge will be an operation fraught with the utmost danger. The fact that Mackensen claims no prisoners indicates that the Rumanians have retreated beyond the railway in accordance with their plan of stubborn fighting on other Rumanian fronts, but only in the northern sector is there any tendency to drive back the enemy. It is apparent that General von Falkenhayn’s troops have a footing on the Rumanian side at least of five passes. It is estimated that Falkenhayn has fourteen divisions in Transylvania. It is noteworthy that Austro-Hungarian war correspondents in Transylvania continually insist on the difficulties confronting Falkenhayn, and say that the snowfalls may delay the advance. Rumania will be able to draw Russian reinforcements, and the Central Powers must be satisfied if the enemy is kept out of Hungary. SPOILS OF WAR FOR ENEMY AT CONSTANZA. London, October 24. It is feared that large stores of petroleum and cereals were stored at Constanza. The docks cover 150 acres, and are able to store 70,000 tons of gram. It is also the headquarters of 757 Rumanian merchant ships. The capture of the town means the loss of the shortest line of communication between Bucharest and Odessa via the Black Sea, and increases the difficulty of preventing the enemy crossing the Danube and cutting the Russian land communication with Bucharest. Other Russo-Rumanian difficulties arise from the fact that they cannot retreat northward, because it is vital to keep contact with the Tchernavoda bridge, which is the sole means of communication across the Danube. NOT MUCH BOOTY LEFT FOR MACKENSEN. A RUMANIAN STORY. [AITSTSAUAN AMD W*W ZEALAND CABIJS ASSOCIATION.] Received 23, 11.55 a.m.) Bucharest, October 24. It is reported that the enemy has taken very little booty at Constanza, as its evacuation has been decided upon for some time. The* Kaiser has congratulated King Ferdinand of Bulgaria.

A Russian communique says:—Artillery is active in Dobrudja. Under pressure the Rumanians retired from the heights north of Constanza and Medjide. The enemy occupied both towns.

(Received 25, 11.55 a.m.) London, October 24. A Rumanian communique says:—The Dobrudja attacks continue. Our left wing retired towards Caramurat. The enemy has occupied Constanza. FRENCH EXPERTS’ OPINION. DANGEROUS FOR MACKENSEN TO CONTINUE HIS ADVANCE. [ belter's telegram.] (Received 25, 11.55 a.m.) London, October 24. French experts compare the fall of Constanza to the capture of Charleroi and Morhauge at the beginning of the war. It is annoying, but not irremediable. They point out that the port is not of much use to the Germans, as the Russians fleet can make the stay of the invaders uncomfortable before they have time to lav mines or establish a submarine base. It would be hazardous for General von Mackensen to continue his ark-rm re far into the loop of the Danube towards the Bessarabian frontier, and the Russian command is fully aware of the importance of checking German invasion. ENEMY REPORTS OF THEIR VICTORY. POSITIONS ON RAILWAY OCCUPIED. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 25, 11.40 a-m.) Amsterdam, October 24. \ Bulgarian communique states:—The cavalry entered Constfinza on Sundav afternoon. A detachment occupied Ishimetope, ten miles north-west of Constanza, in the evening, also the village of Alagapa, near the railway. COUNTING THE SPOILS. 'Received 2;, 11-55 a - m -) . London, October 24. • A German communique says:—Our cavalry pursuing the disordered enemy reached the region of Caramurat, and captured Medjidie and Rasova. , A The booty, including that taken on Saturday, totals 0//O prisoners, 52 machine-guns and 12 cannon. HOW HINDENBURG MAKES NEW ARMIES. DEPLETION OF OLD DIVISIONS[“THB TIMES.”] London, October 24. Colonel Repington C‘ The Times’ ” military critic) says that the reported loss of Constanza is due to the re-organisation of the German man power by reducing the number of battalions so as to make 20 to 30 new divisions, thus enabling General von Hindenburg to create new anti-Rumanian armies. General von Mackensen’s renewed advance indicates the arrival of important reinforcements, possibly Turks. The Dobrudia is not a vital theatre, but Constanza s loss is a disagreeable blow, and a tactical defeat, limiting the Russian reinforcements, reducing the Rumanian strength, and impairing Rumanian confidence. The Salonika offensive is only able to help Rumania indirectly. Russia alone can directly succour her. General Alexieff ((Chief of the Russian General Staff J will do his utmost to counteract Hindenburg’s dangerous schemes. RUMANIAN RESISTANCE ON THE TRANSYLVANIAN FRONT. FALKENHAYN’S COLUMNS SLOW DOWN. Received 25, 10.40 a.m.) New York, October 24. -rt,. ctrpntrthenintz of the Rumanian resistance is described Wiegand* in a despatch to the " World,” .fated ~3 With Falkenhayn’s army between Bucar and Kimpolung,

October 18th”:—Slowly but steadily the Rumanian attempts to check General von Falkenhayn’s three columns advancing through the passes southward of Kronstadt are becoming ' stronger and more energetic. Not until they reached Bucar did the Rumanians seem to catch breath. Demoralisation now appears to have given way to organised resistance arid desperate attempts to assault the advancing columns, which for bravery, tenacity and technical skill are as surprising in the last few days as was the former lack of these qualities. In consequence, General von Falkenhayn’s columns have had to slow down. The Rumanians appear to have many more guns here than at the defence of Predeal, and use them with much better accuracy.” ALLIES* EFFORTS TO FORESTALL FALKENHAYN. THE DANGER OF A WEDGE AT DORNA WATRA. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 25, 11.40 a.m.) Petrograd, October 24. The Entente troops are making an effort to forestall the Austro-Germans’ attempt to drive a wedge between the Russians and Rumanians, which will enable General von Falkenhayn to advance in the Buzeu valley and junction with General von Mackensen, thus cutting off the greater part of Rumania. A communique says: —Artillery is active on the Kimpolung line. ENEMY PASSIVE IN TROTOS VALLEY. (Received 25, 11.40 a.m.) London, October 24. A A Russian communique declares: —The enemy is passive in the Trotos valley. We repulsed attacks at Orsova. Artillery is active at Buzeu. RUMANIANS REPORT NO CHANCE25, 11-55 a.m.) London, October 24. A Rumanian communique says: —-There is no change at Tolyges and Bicazin, in the Trotos \ alley. We repulsed the enemv westward of Uzul valley. The enemy thrice atta'cked Predeal, also Dragoslaveffe, but were repulsed. The enemy also violently attacked and slightly advanced m Juil valley. GERMANS CLAIM TO CAPTURE PREDEAL. RUMANIAN RESISTANCE BROKEN DOWN. (Received 25, 11.40 a.m.) London, October 24. A German official report states: —We have captured Predeal, on the Rumanian side of the pass south of Brasso. A later communique says:—We captured Predeal after bitter fighting. . We broke down Rumanian resistance at the southern exit of the Red Tower (Roterturm) Pass. RUSSIAN GENERAL JOINS RUMANIAN HEADQUARTERS. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Bucharest, October 24. General Polivanoff, formerly Russian War Minister, is joining the Rumanian headquarters. ALLIES' PROGRAMME FOR UNITED ACTION[REUTER’S TELEGRAM.] Paris, October 24. It is reported that the Anglo-French conference on Friday decided orf»a collective programme for the Entente Powers on the eastern front. It also discussed the Greek question, and adopted a resolution which will develop progressively, whereby King Constantine must realise the Allies’ unity of action and energy. OPERATIONS IN MACEDONIA. BAD WEATHER A MISFORTUNE. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] London, October 24. Mr. Ward Price, writing from Salonika, says the break in the weather came unfortunately. The Serbians after the capture of Brod and Veliselo had reached the crest of the hills a league from the Cerna, capturing trenches on the mountain side. Finally they surrounded an important redoubt. The rain deluged the country, preventing further attacks. The delay is regrettable for many reasons. The Serbians had begun to widen the breach in the enemy’s line. Now it is difficult to send up supplies, and the delay has given the enemy time to bring up reinforcements. SERBIAN SUCCESSES CONTINUED. (Received 25, 11.40 a.m.) London, October 24. A Serbian communique states: —The Germans and the Bulgars fiercely attacked the Serbian Vardar division unsuccessOur first army advanced along the whole length of their lines and took the first Bulgarian trenches. Fierce fighting north of Veliselo favoured us. THE CREEK SITUATIONPRINCES’ MISSION TO LONDON. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 25, 11.40 a.m.) Athens, October 24. The “ Eleutherostyphos ” states that the Greek Princes are visiting London with the object of preventing British recognition of the National Government. They offered to satisfy the Allies’ demands if their view was accepted. The Allies replied inconclusively, indicating that they would act as the situation demanded.