Rumania and the Balkans.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 266, 26 October 1916, Page 5

Rumania and the Balkans.

Allies Fall Back on the Danube. Russians Pouring into Rumania. Mackensen’s Dobrudjan Offensive. [PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT. ] [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION,] (Received 26, 10.45 a-m.) London, October 25. A Russian official report says:—We have abandoned the Tchernavoda-Tasavaluluke position. (Tchernavoda (or Cernavoda) is near where the ConstanzaBucharest railway crosses the Danube. Tasavaluluke is not shown on the map. Possibly it is another name for Lake Tashaul, which lies near the coast about 15 miles north of Constanza.) 'STRAW AN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 26, ii.ioa.m.) London, October 25. The Rumanians, in order to protect the bridgehead, swung their line back to a semi-circle around Cernavoda, the right resting on the Danube, and the left gradually retiring, 'lhe manoeuvre involved the evacuation of Medjidie. Captures of war material are inconsiderable, suggesting that the Allies in falling back on the river have skilfully extricated themselves from the Constanza position, which was untenable after the seizure of Tuzla and the capture of the heights west of the Tuzla Lagoon. It is common knowledge that Russia is pouring men into Rumania, knowing that the seizure of the Rumanian stores of wheat, meat, and oil would seriously prolong the war. FLAGS FLYINC IN BERLIN. (Received 26, 11.10 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 25. Germany appears intoxicated with the news that Constanza has been taken. The Kaiser ordered a holiday in all the schools, and every village has been beflaggedThe newspapers proclaim that Rumania is crushed and chastised for daring to defy Germany. THE GERMAN PLAN. TO SEIZE GREATER PART OF WALLACHIA. London, October 25. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Petrograd correspondent says that the growing interdependence of the Russian and Rumanian fronts corresponds with the energy of General von Falkenhayn’s advance. It is notf recognised that Rumania is a strategical factor of the utmost importance. The Germans are straining their resources to the utmost, not only to avert the menace to their Balkan communications, but to secure theadvantages which the subjection of Rumania would give ■ namely to hold the mouth of the Danube, outflanking the Russian left and obtaining fresh supplies of grain. The battles in Galicia and Volhynia are now subsidiary until the issue in Rumania is decided definitely in our favour. The German plan seems to be a big combined advance in the Brassq region and Dobrudja, to cut across Rumania, thereby seizing the greater part of Wallachia, including Bucharest.

HOW MACKENSEN WON CONSTANZA. London, October 25. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says that information received via Switzerland shows that the Rumanians found their positions most difficult to hold in the marshy region leading to Constanza in face of General von Mackensen’s overwhelming forces of infantry and artillery. The Bulgar-Germans renewed the offensive after receiving large reinforcements of troops, guns and ammunition. General von Mackensen commenced a furious action against the Rumanians along Trajan’s Wall, and forced their line at .various points owing to the impossibility of constructing trenches and shelters in the marshy ground. The trenches quickly filled with water above the men’s waists, and sometimes over their heads. Consequently an open battle ensued, wherein General von Mackensen’s superiority in men and guns was apparent. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 26, 1.50 p.m.) London, October 25. A Russian communique says:—South of Dorna Watra we dislodged the enemy in a series of fights. We took a number of prisoners on the north-eastern front. The Rumanians fell back a little at Predeal, also in the Tirgulley valley near Kimpolung, and in the Uinlia valley. THE MACEDONIA CAMPAIGN. SERB SUPERIORITY BEFORE MONASTIR. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 26, 1.10 p.m.) London, October 25. Mr. Ward Price, says that, despite German reinforcements, the enemy is unable to reduce the Serb gains on the Cerna salient. According to prisoners’ statements, the Bulgars have small hope of defending Monastir owing to the flat, marshy ground. The Germans have lost many men from malaria. BULGAR SURRENDERS ENCOURAGED. (Received 26, 1.10 p.m.) London, October 25. In order to re-assure the Bulgars fearing Serb treatment, the Serbs photographed prisoners drawing rations. They also permitted the prisoners to inscribe messages on postcards, which aeroplanes are dropping in the Bulgarian lines. Since thia: has been done there have been more surrendersTHE CREEK SITUATION. CONSTANTINE’S CLEVER DIPLOMACY. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] London, October 25. The “ Daily Chronicle’s ” Athens correspondent says that M. Guillemin,' after an hour and a-half’s audience with King Constantine this morning, was authorised to announce that the situation has been considerably improved by the King’s straightforward declarations regarding his sentiments towards the Entente and M. Guillemin’s assurances relating to the Powers’ intentions and views as to the re-establishment of trustful relations with the Hellenic Government based on the maintenance of a benevolent neutrality in accordance with the previous agreements. WISE FRENCH PRECAUTIONS. (Received 26, 10-45 a.m.) Athens, October 25. French troops have occupied Hill Lycabetas, dominating the southern end of Athens. *