The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 January 1917, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY. Dobrud}a Offensive—Allies Striking Back—Russians Recapture Vadenl —Greece Finally Yields. It is stated that the enemy offensiye in Roumania has been checked. The enemy losses have been so great that the reserves are considered inadequate for an attack in Macedonia, and Turkey and Bulgaria have been asked to furnish further troops. . The Russians and Roumanians have commenced what is described as a brilliant offensive in the Dobrudja. The Russians °t have recaptured' the town of " of Vadeni —between Braila and Galatz. It is officially announced that Greece has accepted the allies' demands in full. Joint allied control is being established, and a commission of allied and Gieek officers has been.formed to supervise the transference of Royalist troops to the south of Greece. The Russian offensive on the Riga front menaces the safety of the Germans in Courland. Enormous difficulties were overcome by the Russians, ' The British have gained ground at slight cost at two points on the western front. They took valuable observation posts in the Ancre sector.

SATURDAY. Success In Dobrudja—Allies con- I tlnue Attack—Search for German Raider—Release of Venlzellsts In Athens. The Russians and Roumanians have definitely defeated the enemy on both wings in the north of Dobrudja, and the battle continues in the centre. It is stated that had Greece not accepted the allies' ultimatum unconditionally, General Sarrail was prepared to destroy the Greek army entirely. I'he Greek Government has released the imprisoned Venizelists. The Italians have completely defeated 5000 of the rebels who have been giving trouble at intervals at Tripoli. The enemy casualties were 1000. The German raider in the Atlantic is believed to be the protected cruiser Vineta, of 5885 tons, or a steamer of the Moewe type. Fast British patrol boats are searching for her. It is believed that she left Kiel Kiel under the Danish flag. The value of ships and cargoes she has destroyed is estimated at from £3,000,000 to £4,000,000. -

MONDAY, RoumanU and Greece — Situation Improving—Strengthening Swiss Guard—Fear of Qerman Invasion —British Munition factory Detrqyed, The situation in Houmania is steadily improving, I'he situation in Greece is also better, although the allies will not relax their blockade until their demands are fully complied with. The Swiss press estimates the German concentration near the frontier of Switzerland at 400,000 m,en. The S,wiss frontier guards b,ave been reinforced,. It is supposed in the "United

Spates that three, raiders are at

large destroying commerce, one kgjbip having eluded the British blockade aj}d supplied armament Qutfis to. other ships.

A munitions factory near London has been destroyed by fire, accompanied by explosions. About 100 persons were seriously injured. The accident will make no practical diffeience to the output of munitions.

TUESDAY Qrqek JV^nace Removed — Troops ~~scnt to th§ §oqtl\—Blockade may "'|e Relaxed — Aqother" Qerman Raider Reported. The menace which - Greek concentrations offered to the allied army in Macedonia has now been removed. Only 3000 Greek U-oops hava been left in the north of Greece.

Britain proposes to take over a}l 'Greek merchant vessels above WOO ton?. ]

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

The British now hold the whole of the right bank of the River Tigris below Kut-el-Amara, in Mesopotamia. Expressions of confidence in early victory come from Russia. The Tsar says his armies are awaiting the decisive encounter, and General Brussiloff says he is certain the enemy will be finally routed this year. American reports indicate that the German raider in the Atlantic has claimed 17 victims. It is . that the British ship, St. Theodore, of 4994 tons, captured by the Germans, has been armed and is scouting on the shipping routes, WEDNESDAY Spring Campaign—German Preparations—Attack near Verdun Repulsed—New Antl - Submarine Methods. * Reports have been received through Holland that Germany will renew a land and sea offensive with reserve armies and numerous submarines, and will employ new and more dreadful gases. The French have repulsed attacks on the right bank of the Meuse, north of Verdun, The Venizelist Government is calling up men in Crete for training, and the general mobilisation of trained men in the island is expected immediately.

It is reported that 100 Germans off a gunboat interned in Brazil have escapted to join the raider in the Atlantic. There is an unconfirmed report that the raider has been sunk.

An American report suggests that British steamers are being generally equipped with new devices for the of submarines.

THURSDAY Destroyer Actions—German Losses in Doubt—One or More Ships Sunk — British Destroyer Torpedoed—Fighting In the Danube Delta. Two separate destroyer actions took place near the Dutch coast on Monday night. The British Admiralty's report states that one German destroyer was sunk and others considerably punished, while one British destroyer was torpedoed and subsequently abandoned. Other accounts place the enemy's losses at seven destroyers.

The action took place in the early morning. The unofficial accounts vary, one suggesting that German destroyers were endeavouring to leave Zeebrugge on account of the ice there, and another that a German squadron from Helgoland wss attempting to make a raid, and was discovered^ and portion forced, on to the Flemish, qqast.

A Russian and Roumanian flotilla on the Danube has bom* barded the enemy's positions as far as Braila. The enemy claims to have crossed the southernmost mouth of the Danube against Russian fire.

The President of the Sobranje states that Bulgaria demands the whole of the Dob.ruq'ia, pacts of Macedonia and Monastir.

The best-known French critic, M. Marcel Hutin, commenting on the German artillery activity north of Verdun, says an offensive by the Qro>#n Prince is to be expected. The French Staff anticipates t\\?o Germ.an offensives on the western frqnt, and has taken ail precautions.

Austrian prisoners from the Trentino state that the enemy's great preparations on that front are entirely defensive.