GERMAN SUCCESS IN RUMANIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 17

GERMAN SUCCESS IN RUMANIA.

CAPTURE OF BUCHAREST. Tho fall of Bucharest has been long expected, and caused no sensation in Groat Britain. A danger threatening is tho German advance on tho flank of the RussoRumanians in Moldavia. The Gormans control tho Rumanian railway system, and probably enormous supplies of wheat, cattle, and oil. Tho fall of Bucharest and Polesti shortens tho German lino by 300 miles, and enables the diversion of largo forces elsewhere. A fragment of tho Orsova army continued its resistance, though many have been taken prisoner. It was cut off for nearly three weeks, but rather than surrender continually appeared at new points. Tho division which surrendered in the Air, Valley is the remnant of tho Rumanian rear-guard at Orsova, which had been fighting in Thrace for weeks in tho rear of the Germans. Paris reports that tho Rumanian army at Bucharest escaped intact. I lie approach of German cavalry compelled tho Rumanians to retreat south-east upon Bucharest. Tho arrival of Russians south and south-west of jR noha rest tempo-i-irily changed the aspect, but tho fate of Bucharest was sealed. A decisive battle was fought in the Ages Valley on Sunday, when ( tho Russo-Rumaniana were defeated. The Germans then advanced on Bucharest. Von Mackensen assumed the chief command, and ho claims that the Rumanians suffered bloody losses. The German advance on to tho Wallaehian plain simplified their commissariat problem, ns the. greater part of the maize crop has boon captured, in addition to largo stocks of wheat, petrol, wood, metal, and salt, much of which was in loaded carts.

Tho German ndvarico on Targovista (botwocn Pitosoi and brings them to tho outskirts of tn« oil nrcn. Tho richest nil field is in the Prnhova Valley, between Ploe°cl and the Priden! Pass. During 1915 Rumania exported 429.000 tons of refined oil, these products practically all going to

Germany and Austria, but only 3 per cent, of this was petrol, which Rumania treated as contraband. The present stock of petrol in Rumania is about 1,000.000 tons. If the Rumanians are able to demolish the -.veils and machinery it will bo six months before the Germans will be able to extract any oil. If the Prahova Valley is reached rhe Germans will bo on the lino of retreat of tho Second Rumanian Army, which has held up its enoniy for two month-.. Tho Times correspondent with the Rumanian army, writing on the 3rd inst., states that all tho wells, refineries, and oil tanks other than tho installation in the Prahova Valley, have been destroyed so thoroughly that tho production of oil is impossible. Groat depots of benzine were burnt. Many persons remain in Bucharest, confident that tho Gorman occupation will be short. The American United Press correspondent states that anarchy and panic are following the German advance in Rumania. Murder and pillage and every kind of lawlessness arc committed by roving gypsies. and there are pitiful scones at desolated houses. Tho German army marches indifferently _ through devastated areas, not attempting to stop the disorder or relievo tho misery. GERMANY REJOICING. Germany reports that the Austro-German and Turco-Bulgar armies, having juno tioncd, completely defeated the Rumanian First Army. The remainder of the army was. driven across tho Titu Junction into tho arms of a German infantry division. The enemy wore defeated northwest and south of Bucharest. An additional &COO prisoners were captured, an enormous quantity of booty, and 35 guns. \ on Mackensen, pursuing- and breaking- tho resistance of tho enemy's rearguards, crossed the railway from Bucharest to Terjovista towards the east The number of prisoners taken on the 3rd inst. has been increased to 12.500, while 4500 were taken els< where. We captured Sinaia, 37 miles north-west of PJobiiti, and cleared out the Rumanians from the south bank of tho and then advanced on Bucharest.

The report claims to have captured 1600 men and four guns in the fight on the Alt with the Orsova rearguard, whose way has been blocked on the oast bank of the river; and the report also claims to have taken prisoner 4400 other Rumanians, and says: "We captured considerable stores of wheat bought by Britain on the railway north-west of Bucharest."

Marshal von Mackensen sent a parlomentaire on Tuesday forenoon, demanding the surrender of the fortress within 24 hours, as otherwise he would open fire. The parlcmentairo was blindfolded, and conducted to the commander-in-chief, who refused to accept the letter, on the ground that Bucharest was in nowise a fortress, but an open town. The parlemcntaire swept aside the evasion, and returned on the following morning to the German lines. The account proceeds to describe the occupation of the forts on the north front, where there was some infantry resistance, and also by the Danube troops on the south froni. It declares that the troops met with an enthusiastic reception, and wcro decorated with flowers. Von Mackensen proceeded to the Royal Castle, and was greeted with bouquets. Eighteen of the 26 forts were undamaged. The Rumanian armies lost 25.000 men between November 29 and December 3. The Germans now occupy 45,000 square kilometres of territory, while the Alt Valley contains numerous herds and great stoics of grain, which will be converted to the use of the German people as soon as possible. Immense booty was captured in Rumania, including 184 guns and 70,000 prisoners.

Our pursuit in Rumania is proceeding. The Russians captured a height south of the Trotus River. Von Mackensen is advancing- east of Wallachia. The Kaiser telegraphed to the Empress: "Bucharest is captured. What a magnificent success! We are on our way to complete victory, which will bo gained by God's grace." There is jubilation throughout Austria and Germany over tho capture of Bucharest. The Kaiser has telegraphed congratulations to Marshal von Mackensen. Tho Kaiser has presented Marshal von Hindenburg with the Grand Cross and the Iron Gross, with an autograph letter. General von Heinnioh has been' appointed Military Governor of Bucharest.

The rapidity of the Austro-German advance across tho Bucharest Ploesti line resulted in cutting off and taking prisoner most of the Rumanian troops in (he Prideal and Alt Valley region. Pursuit is proceeding between the mountain range and the Danube. Tho Ninth Army alone took prisoner 10.000 men. General von Schoppp, Governor of the invaded portions of Rumania, has given instructions to use tho Rumanian land similarly to that of Belgium and Po'and, taking into account the needs of the Rumanian population and the needs of the Central Powers. " which are illegally cut of? from the high seas by England."' A HEROIC BAND. Tho Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent reports that the details of tho .surrender of tho remnants of the Orsova division of Rumanians, cut off by the fall of Craiova, form a thrilling story of gallantry. They fought incessantly for° four weeks while completely hemmed in. They first fought their way south towards the Danube, but were driven back and turned eastwards. They then broke through '-the enemies' lines, crossed tho River Jiul, and reached the mouth of the Alt. TOO miles from their original position. Without food and munitions, outnumbered -and surrounded, they were compelled to surrender. RUSSIAN REPORTS. Russian reports spoke last week of Rumanian retirements. Tho Russians captured another range of heights on the Moldavian frontier, but were compelled to retiro from a height south of Voroues.ska, in tho wooded Carpathians. Tho Russians attacked most vigorously in Moldavia, and captured the enemy's firstlino 10 miles from the Gymes Pass (about the contro of the Moldavian front, opposite Bakau). The Russians captured 500 prisoners, six machine guns, and three cannon in an engagement south-west of Valleputna, on the Rumanian front, where tho enemy were dislodged from two heights. A Russian'communique states: We continued our adv;rnee in the Trorus, Sally. and Cheboniachn Valleys. Tho Rumanians took tlio offensive along the Buzeu-Plocsei road, and drove tho enemy back behind the Grikovul River.

Petrograd reports stato that the abandon

ment of Bucharest was delayed as long as possible m order to save tne artillery, supplies of provisions, and munitions. lnc Rumanian army is stiii conoid.:rod intact, ana ,s retiring to prearranged positions where liiy Russians aio concentrating. All tiiu nuns in tuo lorts at buciiarest were saved, and the Rumanian army retired in an orderly manner. 'lho Nora c>ud Rresso Agency states: " The defence of YYaliuchia v. a., from the outset deemed to bo oi secondary importance, while tuat of Moldavia was regarded as absomteiy essential. The Germans did not succeed in piercing tho Moldavian front, despite repeated efforts, "Tho occupation of the agricultural districts of Wallaehia affords the Germans a hope of struggLng on for somo time longer with famine, tho spectre of which is driving Germany to the desire for an immediate peace " iho German High Command, in order to obtain even that brief respite, concentrated forces on the Balkan front to the detriment ol other European fronts, thus sacrificing strategic considerations to tiio necessity of rcvictualling the country." Tho semi-official Russki Invaiidc says: " Tho enemy arc in a hurry to finish with the Balkans in ord( r to begin operations aga'nst the Russians in thb spring. The Germans aro creating numbers of fresh reserve formations during the winter, as these are considered necessary by tho German headquarters for the -liquidation of the Balkan danger, which threatened to cut olf Austria-Germany from Turkey and Bulgaria. Decisive action on all the allied fronts is necessary before the enemy have time to complete their programme. It is stated that the Grand . Duke Nicholas is in supreme command of the Russo-Rumanian armies in the new war theatre, and was hurriedly summoned to the Czar's headquarters to receive the appointment. The Russian section consists of 13 army corps, comprising 400,000 effective troops. BULGAR BOASTING. A Bulgarian communique states: The Russo-Rumanian forces are retiring northeastward from the left bank of the Danube, between Turtukai and Chrenavoda. We crossed the Danube near Turtukai, and captured the town of Oltenitaa, which tho enemy had previously looted. We also crossed tho Danube near Silistria. The Russians set fire to the- town of Kalarash and tho surrounding villages. The Zietung Gammittog publishes an interview with a Bulgarian statesman, who says that Bulgaria's first condition of peace is tho relinquishment of Russian hopes for Constantinople. A Soiia message declares that after Bucharest the next task of the Germanic Powers will be the capture of Valona (Albania), which is in Italian occupation, and then join hands with Greece. Bulgaria is introducing a Mass Levy Bill on the lines of the German measure. MISCELLANEOUS. Telegrams from Berlin state that tho Germans effectively used " tanks" in Rumania, and by this means compelled tho Rumanians to evacuate fortifications noar Valeus.

The Russians have ceased their offensive in the Dobrudja, and are deeply entrenching themselves. Tho Giornale d'ltalia states that there were 6000 German spies in Bucharest when the vt ar started. Many of them were arrested and others were interned.

The morning that war was declared the Kinrr ordered the arrest and court-martial of all his palace servants. An Austrian official report states that an Austro-German counter-attack in the Carpathians deprived tho Russians of all recent local gains. Russian attacks on the Moldavia frontier were repulsed, with heavy losses

SPECULATING ON THE NEXT MOVE. The success of von Hindenburg's schemes has resulted in many speculations as to how to use von Mackonsen's and von Falkonhayn's victorious armies. They_ will certainly continue their policy of striking the Allies at their weakest spot. Three alternatives are suggested: To attack Italy; a blow in the direction of Bessarabia and Odessa, via Rumania; or to attack General Sarrail in the hope of bringing in Greece. It is generally expected that when von Mackensen reaches the Russo-Rumanian entrenched front defending Moldavia the Germans will also entrench and seek to effect a Rumanian political coup d'etat by mingled flattery and threats. The proAllies' Government has gono to Jassyk. but a. strong German party has remai. :d at Bucharest, capable of forming a Government which the Germans will recognise.

■Speculation is rife in European capitals concerning Germany's plans. M. Marcel Hutin states that the Rumanian First and Second Armies have reached the Brizen line; also that tho Scroti] line is strongly entrenched; therefore Ivon Maekensen's advance in Moldavia is not expected. Berlin boasts that it is Sarrail's turn next. The Italian press insists that tho Central Powers intend to launch an offensive against Italy. A German paper, commenting upon the fall of Bucharest, says: "The victory in Ri.irgnia is a defensive victory. Our eremies are still strong, unconquered, and coi fident of ultimate victory; hence M. Sturma has been replaced by M. Trepoff, ?nd Mr Asquith has yielded to a stronger man. Wo must still shout that we desire p r, aeo." The Rhein Wesiphalisch Zoitung warns tin people that the war will last a long time. It savs that the Ministerial changes in Britain mean that the victory party is determined on war to the knife. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent states that M. Radoslavoff publicly stated that von Hindenburg is resolved to make a clean sweep of the Balkans by concentrating the German. Bulgar, and Turkish forces against (he Allied army, and bnking up with (he Greek forces within six weeks. Since von Maekensen's successes ir: Rumania the German new-papers have be come g-owingly averse to any ultimate rclirquishmo.t of territory. Herr Spain; leader of the Centre party, in a speech in tho Reichstag, said that the Germane want, guarantees of peace, including an extension of their territory. The Loipziger Zoitung savs that it is essentia] to Germany's existence that neither Belgium nor Serbia be reconstructed. Mr Donohoe, the Daily Chronicle's correspondent with the Rumanian army, states that. Rumanian politicians of pro-German tendencies are remaining behind will) the enemy, aiming at the deposition of King Ferdinand and the enthronement of his

elder brother Wilhelm, who renounced th* right to the succession in 15G0.