WAR NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 6 December 1916, Page 6

WAR NEWS.

THE RUMANIAN SITUATION. (Received Tuesday. 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Mdnday. Berlin reports state that the Germans have begun to bombard tht forts of Bucharest. OBSTINATE FIGHTING. (Received Tuesday, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. Russian official: The Rumanians arc retiring from the Pitesci to the Neovistaja region. There is obstinate fighting in the region between Alexandria and Bu charest. USE OF RUMANIAN LAND. (Received Tuesday, 11.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Monday. General von Scheppe, Governor oi tlie invaded portion of Rumania, ha* issued instruction to use Rumanian land similarly to that of Belgium a lie Poland, taking into account the need; of the Rumanian population, and tht needs of the Central Powers, whicl' are illegally cut off from the high seas by E|ogland. THE GREfiK SITUATION. (Received Tuesday, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. Tho "Times," in a leader, states that the Athens news will be received in this country with astonishment and indignat'on. The Allies have again been betrayed, defied and disgraced by King Constantino and his Government. The Strength of tho Allied troops landed was inadequate. This weakness was due to tlie childlike faith in tho King's assurance that there would be no disturbance. The British, finding certain positions held by the Greeks, withdrew. They were then treacherously fired upon. Prompt a,nd drastic measures are required in order to restore tho seriously impaired prestige of me Allies and to protect the- Allied forces in Salonika from further menace. The whole story of our dealings with King Constantine is o>ne long succession of incomprehensible bluiiuerings. A CRUSHING HUMILIATION. (Received Tuesday. 5.45 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. Doctor R.. M. "Burrows, Principal of King's College, Lcndon, and a wellknown writer on * Greek Whites to thev "Tinws" as. follows: •'Every Greelc regards the events, of Friday and Saturday as a crushing humiliation' of England and France,, o/nd proof that tlioy no longer Relievo in their, own power, or ai'e confident in final; victory. There is still time'to take' strong measures in oi;der to maintain our position in the Mediterranean. M. Venizelps states that the Greek Government is treacherously and persistently disregarding tho promises not to obstruct the Ycnizclists' movement. SITUATION EXTREMELY GRAVE. (Received Tuesday, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. Lord Kobert Cecil (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs), speaking in the House of Commons, siv'd that the situation in Greece was extremely grave. The Government considers tint King Constantino and his Government are doeply involved. ■ Tlie Allies, stated Lord Coe ; l, were' discussing immediate and radical measures. GREEK AMBASSADOR RESIGNS. (Received Tuesday, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. M. Gradious, the Greek Minister iii London, has resigned as a protest against tlie Greek Government's policy. NARROW ESCAPE OF ADMIRAL DU FOURNET. (Received Tuesday, 10.55 a.m.") ATHENS, Monday. It is believed .that a hot-headed reservist fired tho first shot, which started Friday's battle. Admiral du'Fournot (the Allies' representative) was standing on tlie st?ps of the Zappeioii, surrounded by F rein ell officers, when two Greek machine guns Opened, fire. Six of the officer ; were wounded. .■French destroyers subjected tlie Greeks to a brief bombardment as the nutcomp of tho Greeks firing againstthe Znppeion. before Admiral du Folirnet quitted the building.

The bulk of the Allied contingents withdrew at night under the escort uf Greek troops. X number still remain at Piraeus. It is reported that the Allies lost 30 killed and a large number of men wounded. The Greek losses were heavier. A STATE OF WAR. j (lleceived Tuesday, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Monday, j Tho "Daily Chronicle's" Athens correspondent states that the advan- | cing Allies found the Greeks in strong ■ positions on the Philipupus (Jbserva- . Tory Hill, near Akropolis. i The Greeks were in superior numbers and charged from the Philipu- , pus Observatory. It is estimated that j the prisoners from forty to a hundred, I The Allied fleet at Kerastini fired thirty shells, whereof four landed in the neighbourhood of the Palace, one damaging tho kitchens. Part of a shell, still hot, was shown to tho King while conferring with the Entente Ministers. ! An armistice followed, giving relic!" to the terrorised people. ( The populat:on gathered in the streets of Piraeus on Sunday, witnessing the funeral of fifty-four Brit' ish and French, who were killed on Friday. The Entente representatives attended. Reports :tre being spread in Athens that Castoria and Mono stir have been re-taken by the Bulgars, with a viewto oncouruging the warlike spirit, i Diplomacy makes little progress, and it may . almost be said that'a j state of Avar exists. ! The Allied Minister are conferring ; with Admiral du Fonrnet. | Greek soldiers patrol the streets o! Piraeus. Largo numbers of pi-opb are fleeing to Athens. ! It is rumoured that the next Creek move will be an advance on Piraeus.

THE WESTERN FRONT. ,Australia or, 7vliable Assoriathmi (Received Tuesday, 10.50 a.m.) ) Luis 7 DON, Monday. British official; The enemy is shelling Gueudecourt and Fonquevilicrs. We heavily bombarded the neighbourhood of Monchy (8 miles southwest of Arras). ! ENEMY ATTACKS FAIL. ! (Received Tuesday,' 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Monthly. French official;-Enemy surprise attacks south of the Somme, at Bailcux an# . south-easo in | Alsace, failed. " j .IX THE BALKANS. lAustraliau-X.Z, Cable Association,) (Received Tuesday, 10.00 a.m.) | n ' _ LONDON, Monday. 1" resich official: The Servians carried heights held by the enemy east of Gn'unista (about 23 miles east of Monastir). The enemy retired in disorder towards St. Ai'virha. CONSTANTINOPLE AND WAR. fAustralia /f' Is./,. ( ahl" A xso'-uttian) (Received Tuesday, 10.-15 a.m.) PARIS, Monday. Tho "Echo de Paris" says that if the Russians had possessed Constantinople, Germany would have been uiiable to prepare for this war: It is only by giviilg Russia Constantinople that we can prejiare plans for peace. A BELGIAN PROTEST. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association , (Received Tuesday, 10.40 aim.) NEW YORK. Monday. Do Wiart, the Belgian Minister, m a special cable to the New York "World," says that the deportations wore the result of barbarity aind bad faith by Germany, and caused an aggregation of German marks in Belgian banks. The Germans seized Jive hundred million, marks, which have been compulsorily invested in Germany. The invaders planned the ru'n of industries and forcci! the deportations in order to release (ic!'ir,;u s ' for the army. The total German profits from tho occupation op Belgium is two' thousand million marks. .< Salaries are only paid to workmen who sign engagement roasters, and are obliged to work in virtual slavery. De Wiart concludes: "Will-the country of Lincoln remain passive in the presence of an organised' trade in civil.'sed men?"

AN AMERICAN WARNING. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received Tuesday, 8.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Monday. President "Wilson has warned Count Bernstorff against further sinkings of merchantmen in American waters. ARMING OF MERCHANTMEN. (Received Tuesday, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Monday. Sir Cyprian Bridge states that the arming of which would involve the use of 16 3 000 guns and 32,000 gunners, does not mean tbat the difficulty would be overcome, as British cargoes are often carried in neutral vessels, and Germany has innde it plaijn that a neutral flag does not protect a vessel from submarining. Sir C. Bridge advocates the extensive use of anti-submarine properly supported by the licet, ?nd bv these means protect our own as well a s neuti'al merchantman. PEACE AND BREAD DEMANDED.

(Received Tuesday, 10.55 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Monday. The Civilians Mobilisation Bill includes women. A demonstration of servants and wives of soldiers at Charlotteaiburg Town Hall protested against being forced to work in factories, niul demanded bread and peace.