ROUMANIAN SITUATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16374, 31 October 1916, Page 7

ROUMANIAN SITUATION

GREATEST DANGER OVER SOUND ALLIED STRATEGY GERMAN ATTACKS ON THE SOMME : RUSSIAN SUCCESS IN PERSIA

The Roumanian situation is now regarded with equanimity. A French critic states that the position wild restore itself in ten days. The evacuation of the Dobrudja is described as an act of military wisdom, as the Danube is practically impassable, .and is easily defended. A Bulgarian report describes the Roumanians as retreating towards pontoon bridges thrown over the Danube at several points in the Dobrudja. The enemy is pressing hard on the Transylvanian front, especially at the mouth of Predeal Pass, south of Kronstadt, but the Roumanians and Russians are offering strong resist" ance. The Roumanians report successes at several points, The Germans claim the capture of a small town south ot Predeal Pass. On the Somrae front the principal incidents have been a British advance north-east of Lesboeufs and the repulse by the French of German attacks on positions north and south of La Maisonette. There has been intense artillery activity north of Verdun, but no infantry actions. The Servian and French forces south-east of Monastir, on the bend of the Tserna River, have made progress. The assurances given by the Greek Government that it recognises the movement headed by M. Venlzelos as being solely anti-Bulgarian in aim have resulted in better relations with the allies. Financial assistance is being given by the allies to the Provisional Government. The Russians have driven back considerable Turkish forces in the Hamadan district of Persia. ENEMY REINFORCED ON TRANSYLVANIAN FRONT. CONTINUANCE OF TENACIOUS ALLIED RESISTANCE, BULGARIANS HOLD MOST OF THE DOBRUDJA. By Telegraph— Association-Copyright. ,Vf, Times (Received 12 IS a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 30. The enemy has been strongly reinforced, and is again attacking 'jC m Eothen Thurm Pass, Tenacious Roumanian resistance continues . ' in Torzburg and Predeal Passes, with varying fortunes. The Russians and Roumanians are retiring without real resist- • ance in the Dobrudja. The Bulgarians claim to have reached a line 25 miles from the northern end. ROUMANIANS RETREAT TOWARDS PONTOON BRIDGES. s ■ BULGARIAN ACCOUNT OF THE OPERATIONS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association AMSTERDAM. Oct. 29. A Bulgarian communique states: " The enemy in the Dobrudja is everywhere precipitately retreating towards the pontoon bridges at ■- Hirsbva, Braila, Isaktcha, and Tultcha. We destroyed the Hirsova bridge on the 26th inst. Our advance detachments have reached the Ostovoa line, south of Babadag, and captured in two days 800 men ,' . and 6even guns. We occupied an island in the Danube, east of Silistria." i \ ' LATEST COMMUNIQUES FROM TRANSYLVANIAN FRONT. ■ ROUMANIANS REPORT THE REPULSE OF ATTACKS. GERMANS CLAIM SUCCESS SOUTH OF PREDEAL. Australian and N.Z. Cable. (Received 11 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 29. A Roumanian communique states: "Wo arrested the enemy's advance in Prahovo Valley and occupied Mount Anghaiaraare. Wo repulsed attacks at Dragoslavele. Strong enemy forces are attacking in Alt Valley. Wo are continuing our offensive in the Jiul Valley, arid the enemy is retiring to the mountains. We repulsed attacks in the region of Orsova, on the Danube." A Russian communique states: "Southward of Dorna Watra wo repulsed the enemy's offensive. The Roumanians in the Alt Valley, v northward of Salatruk, advanced six miles and occupied Mount Golu- '- togcrliy and Guzec Valley." An Austrian communique states: "We captured heights dominating Orsova, on the Danube. We made progress south of Roth en Thurm Pass, north of Campulung, and south of Predeal, after desperate fighting.'' A German communique claims the capture of Ayuga, south of Predeal Pass. ROUMANIANS CAPTURE TWENTY THOUSAND PRISONERS GERM BANKS FULL OF YOUTHS AND OLD MEN. Times. LONDON, Oct. 2D. The Roumanians have taken 20,000 prisoners during their cam- '.. paign. The Germans especially are dejected. They are mostly young •: .' lads and men over 50. They are ill-clothed, hungry, and in bad r". hygienic condition. All the Austrians taken prisoners belong to Mf' detachments from the Isonzo front. || TWENTY THOUSAND POLES SUMMARILY EXECUTED. SUSPECTED OF SYMPATHY WITH RUSSIA. ";«'-/"" Australian and N.Z Cable. (Received 11.30 p.m.) ROME. Oct. 30. Austrian desertcia describe the atrocious treatment of Poles sus- •• pected of sympathies with Russia. They declare that 20,000 were Bummarily executed. BSvK:' ' . . life: