RUMANIA IMPRESSED,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16542, 16 November 1915, Page 5

RUMANIA IMPRESSED,

GERMAN PRESTIGE DIMINISHED. WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, November 14. The Times Balkan correspondent states : "A British communique announces the impending despatch of Anglo-French troops.

"The news that the Germans are fortifying the Serb bank of the Danube has deeply impressed Bucharest. The satisfaction caused by the prospect of opening the river for the export of Rumanian produce has been considerably diminished by the menace of German military domination of this great commercial waterway. Apprehension is felt that Rumania may soon be, isolated, except on. the Russian side.

" Military opinion in Rumania takes a gloomy view of. the strategical position in Serbia. It is not believed that any allied efforts can now save the Serbian- army from the combined Austro-German and Bulgarian attacks, the enemy forces now numbering 600,000. If Russia would send 200,000 troop 3, disembarking them on the 'Black Sea, or via Rend (on the RussoRumanian frontier, 70 miles from the Danube mouth), while the Anglo-French landed a similar army on the /Egean coast, the probable result would be the adhesion of Rumania and Greece and the failure of the German advance on Constantinople, because Rumania could then attack the Bulgarians in the rear and the Germans in front.

"The Balkans are watching events in Greeco with the keenest interest. The outcome of the crisis in Athens is greatly affecting the attitude of Rumania. It is believed that if the Allies simultaneously despatched' adequate forces to the Balkans Greece would resolve to support the Allies, and this would decisively affect Rumania's policy. German prestige has diminished in the Balkans, because of the checks administered 1 in Russia. The early British capture of Bagdad would considerably impress Balkan neutrals, but the determining factor for Rumania and Greece will be the proof of the Allies' ability and readiness to inaugurate a great Balkan campaign, irt which Russian participation would be of prime importance. " The Court party at Athens is taking every device to discredit M. Venizelos."