THE RUMANIAN FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 14

THE RUMANIAN FRONT.

The latest telegrams from tlio Rumanian front prove the gallantry of the defenders resistance, especially on the Oituz front, where the Austro-Germans during the last 10 or 12 days of August incessantly beat against the Rumanians day and night. It is true that the enemy gained ground slightly, but their losses were heavy. It is estimated that 10 Austro-German divisions have been exhausted. The enemy frequently sent six-fold wave* in the endeavour to seize the Tergu-Ocna line, which covers an important railway} but' the defence was courageous in ths extreme. The Rumanians then counter*, attacked, forcing the enemy to yield ground. A Rumanian communique states: On Sep.

tember 4, between Momaia-Varnitza and the sector Varnitza-Marasesti, our artillery dispersed masses of the enemy preparing to attack. The enemy endeavoured to break through between Varnitza and Alonastivara, but were repulsed after heavy lighting. A Jassy despatch to the New York Herald States that there is bitter animosity between tho Prussians and Bavarians in von Mackensen's army. They have to be separated when taken prisoner. When numbers ot Germans were taken prisoner at the battlo of tho Sereth, tho Bavarians, pointing to tho Prussians, shouted to the Rumanian captors: "Kill these Prussian dogs; it is they who are continuing tho war. They will ruin us." A fierce melee followed, in which several prisoners were injured. RUSSIAN FLEET IN BLACK SEA. The Odessa correspondent of The Times reports that the Russian fleet sank six Turkish merchantmen at Sevastopol (?) and also captured the town. By an order of August 14 tho town was evacuated, after destroying large stores of munitions and provisions, and removing 800 Greeks desirous of leaving Turkey. [Presumably come town on the Turkish Coast of the Black Sea is meant.] GERMAN FLEET IN THE BALTIC. Tho German fleet appeared in the Gulf of Riga on Wednesday. It is reported that the German fleet is preparing to attack Reval (a Baltic port), and possibly a subsidiary naval base, about midway between Riga and Petrcgrad, towards tho entrance of tho Gulf of Finland. Both Berlin and Helsingfors report that German squadrons were seen at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. It is believed that they are preparing to attack Reval and Kronstadt. Part of the German High Seas Fleet has reinforced the Baltic fleet, sailing northwards. The Russian fleet is preparing for a battle. The sailors have expressed their determination to fight to the last shell. There is very heavy cannonading at Riga and Reval, and it is believed that a naval tattle is in progress.