RUSSIANS PASSING THROUGH ROUMANIA

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13275, 2 September 1916, Page 5

RUSSIANS PASSING THROUGH ROUMANIA

ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOMED BY THE POPULATION. BULGARIA GETTING ANXIOUS—ENDEAVOURS TO GAIN TIME. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, September 1. It is officially announced from Bucharest that Russian allies are passing through the Dobrudja, where the population enthusiastically welcomed them. The Rlack Sea fleet is assistant in the defence of Roumanian seaports. Russian pontoons have already allowed many thousands of Russians to commence the march towards Bulgaria. The. latter is delaying a declaration in order to sain as much time as possible to remove troops to the northern frontier, and possibly with the hope 'that a separate peace may be arranged by means of the good offices of the Roumanian Government. SPLENDID RESULTS OF ROUMANIAN ADVANCE. ALLIES SECURE COMPLETE MASTERY OF THE DANUBE. EVIDENT AUSTRIAN'S ARE UNABLE TO HOLD FRONTIER. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, September 1. l'hough telegsvms from Bucharest are much delayed, messages from Rome and insist on the splendid results of the Roumanian attacks. Bulletins issued ;it Bucharest show that the army already is in possession ot every important pass leading to Transylvania. The Roumanians, hastily descending the Carpathians in the direction of Kronstadt, seized two tunnels before the surprised Austrians were able to destroy them. Twelve thousand inhabitants hurriedly left Kronstadt carrying their valuables when the Roumanians approached, but the greater part of the population remained. Elsewhere a large part of the frontier population is fleeing into the interior of Hungary. The rapid advance was aided by magnificent aeroplane reconnaissances, despite the mountainous conditions. The Austrians are poorly supplied with aeroplanes. The Allies' mastery of the Danube is now complete. Rustchuk and other Bulgarian towns are exposed to destruction. The Austrians claim they are defending the road from the Danube near Orsova and the passes leading to Temesvar, in the Banat, where the Magyars are hastily fortifying the approaches. Elsewhere the Austrians admit withdrawing fighting units It is evident that they are unable to hold the frontier, bceause all their troops arc engaged in the Trentino, on the Isonzo, and in Galicia. Experts point out that the natural place to defend Transylvania is the frontier. No line further back gives better advantages, and it is believed no extensive effort will be made to construct the defences in the interior of Transylvania. It is evident that the initial steps of Roumania's enterprise proved easier than was expected, but we must beware of drawing sweeping conclusions. The greater part of Transylvania is a tangle of hills and woods, and is not favourable to the passage of armies