THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 17

THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT.

Russian official reports slate: The enemy occupied our front trenches north ward of Rojdsche, but were driven out. The enemy forced an entrance into trenches in the region of Terechkovez, in the direction of Sokal, but were compelled to evacuate them after bayoneting our wounded. In the region of Ozerki the enemy attacked and occupied positions. Our counter-attack drove them out. In the region of Bogarodshany, following a gas attack which did no damage, the Austrians were bombarded. Disorder was noticed in the enemy's firstline trenches. Part of the Austrian force retired, and the remainder attempted to approach with white flags, but were subjected to tho fire of their own artillery, and fled back. It is semi-officially announced that information received by the War Office of developments on tho Stochod justifies the hope that Germany's advance will be checked. The breach in the Russian front line has been repaired. Many troops that were supposed to be lost have rejoined the Colours. The reverse is attributed to the agitators. The first attacks were not. repulsed because the troops were engaged electing their committee. A captured German army oider_ recalling officers on leave is regarded as indicating that a German offensive is imminent against tho junction of the Russian northern and western fronts. HOW RUMANIA WAS TRICKED. General IHescu, Chief of the Rumanian Staff, has revealed tho faofc that M. Stur-

mer's Government, in Russia, deliberately pushed Rumania into tho war to abandon her, hoping to finish the war when Rumania had boon invaded to tho Sereth. By proclaiming the triumph of the Central Empires, Kumania would bo forced to a separate peace, and it was hoped that peace would be duo to a defeat which was not a Russian defeat, and which would not shako his power or that of the Czar. Having thrust Rumania into the arena, M. Stunner held back four army corps, and even stopped British and French consignments of munitions. Trains loaded with guns and aeroplanes wcro afterwards discovered on sidings at stations between Jassy and Petrograd, and railway employees everywhere explained that trains had been held up by Government orders. Rumania's intervention was particularly desired by Germany, as the Hungarians and the Bulgars wore weary of tho war, and the Rumanian peril was created in order to destroy their tendency towards independence. Berlin chose August for the Rumanian intervention, M. Stunner being the mouthpiece of the German will.