RUMANIA AND BALKANS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 275, 6 November 1916, Page 5

RUMANIA AND BALKANS

Situation in Transylvania. Menace Temporarily Averted. [PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] [“THE TIMES.”] (Received 6, 9.10 a.m.) London, November 5. Mr. Washburn, reporting from Rumanian headquarters, says the general situation has been greatly improved and the gravest menace temporarily averted. The great enemy opportunity was to inflict disaster before the Rumanians were able to retire to the mountains, where they are better able to resist. The enemy has been partially and tactically successful, but has strategically achieved nothing decisive to demoralise the Rumanians, who are settling down for stubborn defensive fighting, step by step, through the valleys. If they are able to continue their hold, the enemy should be unable to reach the interior of Rumania or to cut the north and south railroad, but it cannot be assumed that Rumania is safe until the enemy’s intentions and capacity to fulfil them are ascertained, which will probably not be before the cold and snow terminate this year’s serious operations. The Rumanians’ retreat is so slow that there is reason to hope the arrival of supports will be timely. PURSUIT OF ENEMY IN SOUTHERN PASSES. MORE GUNS CAPTURED. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Bucharest, November 4. A Rumanian communique states: —Our pursuit in the Vulkan Pass continues. We captured there four more guns and much war material. There was violent fighting on the whole front in the Roterturm Pass. The enemy violently attacked in the Buzai Valley, and occupied two heights. We progressed beyond the frontier. There were no changes elsewhere. We advanced west of the Buzeu river, also northwards at Tablabutzi. We continued the pursuit of the enemy west of the Vulkan Pass. THE RUSSIAN REPORT. REINFORCEMENTS MONOPOLISE THE RAILWAYS. Petrograd, November 5. A Russian communique states:—An enemy attack on the Rumanians in the Alt Valley in Transylvania collapsed under our cannonade. The enemy in the direction of the Vulcan Pass continues to retire northwards, pressed the Rumanians. Rotterdam, Nov. 4. The “ Berliner Tageblatt ” states that all the Russian passenger rail traffic to Rumania is suspended owing to troop movements. THE ENEMY CLAIMS. Vienna, November 4. An Austrian communiquqe claims that they gained ground south-east of the Roterturn Pass and south-west of the Predeal against the Rumanians. ALL QUIET IN DOBRUDJA. Bucharest, November 4. A communique states:—Things are quiet in Dobrudja. THE MACEDONIAN FRONT. ARTILLERY ACTIONS ONLY. Paris, November 4. A communique states: —The artillery duel continues at various points, and is fierce on the Cerna. There were no infantry actions.