THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17329, 18 November 1916, Page 8

THE CAMPAIGNS.

Tub Rumanians hare not yet, managed to establish themselves on a firm fine south of the Vulkan and' Red Tower passes, for the communiques record a further retirement on both the Jiul and Alt sectors. To this extent the position remains unsatisfactory, and in the absence of any information or to the general conditions the news is anything hut encouraging. There is no reason, however, to suppose that the Rumanian resistance in either valley had broken down, the inference being that the defenders are steadily retiring before superior forces, fighting rearguard, actions to cover the establishment of permanent lines. The disquieting feature of the operations is the fact that the Rumanians have already had to abandon the strongest natural defensive positions. A retirement, however small, brings the enemy closer to the easy'ground and nearer to the great plain on which the comparatively small Rumanian armies would have less chance of successful resistance. No, doubt the explanation of tile present course of the campaign is that the Rumanians are applying all their energies to the task of meeting von Falkenhayn’s main thrust ' towards Bucharest, and that nntiL the position in the Prahova valley is absolutely secure the western armies must Jack reinforcement. South of the Predcal pass the enemy’s advance has been checked, and to-day it is reported that the Rumanians have recovered from their reverse at Dragoslavelo, north of Oampulung, and have repulsed a further attack. The prospects on this sector, therefore, appear move encouraging. Tlie Moldavian front is not seriously threatened, and in the Dobrudja the I Russians and Rumanians have made a further advance. It is probable that Bulgarian troops from •this region have lately been withdrawn to reinforce the Monastir army, and if the Allies’ offensive becomes general the Rumanians will speedily be given still greater relief. The renewal of British activity across the Struma may he the beginning of more important developments, but for the presept the chief Allied operations are those in the Monastir region, where Serbians, French and Russians are co-operating in a promising advance. The reports .from France show that the French have recovered the trenches they lost to the Germans when the enemy delivered his great counterattack, and in'addition to the recovery of the portions of Pressoire and SaillySallisel that were in German hands, the Allies have captured the whole of the wood of St Pierre Y>ast> a most notable and important success. The British communique is concerned chiefly with artillery activity. Rome reports the recovery of the trenches abandoned a day or two ago east ot Gorizia, and there has been further fighting to the Italian advantage on the Carso. An unofficial message confirms the impression that the Austrians are planning another strong movement on the Trentino front, in the hope of relieving the pressuie on the sectors east of the lower Isonzo. •