THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17334, 24 November 1916, Page 4

THE CAMPAIGNS.

There is still singularly little news concerning the position in Rumania. Evidently heavy fighting is proceeding between tho Predeal and Red Tower Passes, but tho enemy claims to bo progressing in the Alt valley, so that the prospect of a Rumanian stand along the Alt does not appear to be altogether bright. An unofficial message states that a groat battlo is raging north of Craiova, a vague, report that does not help us materially to estimate the position, and until more definite news is available we shall not know the full extent of the danger. M. Marcel Hutin endeavours to allay Allied anxieties by promising important developments, depending, presumably; on tho launching of a Russian counteroffensive, and it is stated that the Russians and Rumanians have ample supplies. Bulgarian pressure has been lifted, of course, by the Allied offensive in Macedonia, but it is not from the Bulgarian side that the danger is threatening. In' any case tho relief would bo felt mainly in tho Dobrudja, where tho Russians, when we last had word of them, were apparently ranking an impression on von Mackcnsen's forces. Probably it has been necessary to transfer Russian , and Rumanian battalions from tho Dobrudja to W'ailachia, but if the offensive is being continued towards Chernavoda it should have a reasonable prospect of early success. As for the Allies iri Macedonia'tho only news wo have of them is that they arc fighting hard to the north of Monastir and that the Serbs on tho right have achieved a further success, so' that in spite? of tho had weather there is ground for hope tnat tho occupation of Serbian territory will bo materially extended.

Tho news from the other theatres is comparatively unimportant, but Sir Douglas Hnig reports a strong enemy attack between La Basse© and Lens. Tho operation is described merely as a raid on a largo scale, but it was preceded by an intense bombardment, and it may bo the opening of a larger offensive. The Germans have been threatening a counter-offensive for some time past, but it was implied that tho effort would bo made from Bapaume, where, of course, the position is anything but satisfactory frohl the enemy point of view. Generally speaking the Allies' offensive has come to an appreciable pause. 'I he fact that tho munition workers were given a holiday early in October suggested that tiie intensity of the attacks was already declining, and tho new announectmhi that there is to be another holiday for them at Christmas implies that, the authorities are now oaay, in their minds concerning tho output. Apart from the laud campaigns, there is nows of another extraordinary outrage by tho enemy submarines, two of which attacked the great hospital ship Britannic iny tho jEgean Sea and sank her. Happily the loss of life was comparatively small, but that does not in the least minimise the gravity of this violation of the usages of war.