New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-21
Rumanians, Cut Off in
the Rear, Face
Capture
HOPE OF RESCUE
RESTS ON RUSSIA
Falkenhayn Drives East
Along Railway and South
from Border Passes
lRy Cable e ne Tribune

lBy Gable to Ths Tribune
London, Nov. 20.-The Rumanlan
army in Western Wallachia is in
grave danger of being surrounded.
Driving eastward along the Orsova-
Craiova railway, Falkenhayn's
southern army has cut in on the rear
of the Rumanian forces defending
the passes of Northern Wallachia.
The Teutons are now approaching
Craiova, the stronghold of South
western Rumania, and threatening
at any moment to cut off the retreat
of Ferdinand's army.
Definite details of the new Teuton
advance are lacking. Yesterday Ber-
lin announced that the Austro-Ger-
man troops had struck down from
the region north of the Iron Gate Of
the Danube and had reached the
Craiova railroad. To-night's official
statement from Berlin briefly states
that the invaders are approaching
Craiova."
Retreating Into Trap
How near they are to the city is
matter of speculation, in view Of the
scant details at hand. 1t is virtually
certain, however, that the Teuton5
are well in the rear of the Rumanian
army.
Il Is not the movement east OF Or
sova alone that endangers the Rn-
manians. II is the combination Of that
operation with the steadily progressing
Teutor offensive in the jul and Ar
valleys. Pstrograd admits to-nieh'
that the Rumanians are still falling
back in the jul Valley>-straight into
the Jaws of the enemy's trap.
The capture of Crsiova would be a
vital blow to the hopes Of Bucharest
The whole western part Of Rumanis
would be Topped off from the main
body. the Germsnic front would ne
shortened hundreds of miles allowing
a concentration OF troops at the vital
points-and a thrust against the cap
it.l along the road from Craiova would
100000 Troops Invading
Falkenhayn has twenty-five divisions
~ ,roons az his command on the Ku'
msnian front. according to the iates,
o.,;mates. With 100000 troops, the
major part of whom are fresh and wen
souinned. to press the big advantages
already obtained, the German com
m.nder should have marked s"-
nsr;ority in the important iightIns oil
the next few days.
In the region of Campulung, south
of Torzburger Pass, furious pat'ie -
developing. Near Albesci, mile mort"
- camnulung. the Rumanians made
nroorcss to-day, according o~-ihe
BUCHAREST statement. Berlin reports
however. that "the Rumanians are eA.
h.us,;ng their units, which are OF
mixed and haphazard formation, IN
fruitless attacks" in this sector.
Artillery activity continues IN the
Dobrudja and along the Danube as far
"a Oltina, east Of Silistria. For more
than a week there have been no details
Of the operations in this sector made
nnblic. Mackensen, it is believed, has
received reinforcements that have en-
abled him to check the advance OF the
Russo Rumanian forces toward the
Constanza- -Cernsyoda line.
Hopes Rest on Russia
Despite the disquieting reports from
the Rumanian front, there is still
feeling here that conditions will change
for the better in the next few days.
Russia is expected to rush powerful re-
Inducements to the threatened lines
and launch a general offensive in Gala
cia, or in the DobrudJa.
At the same time the success OF tn.
Allied drive north OF Monsstir, with
its attendant menace TO the Orientsi
railroad, will divert some Of Fslken-
hayn's foi,es, It is believed. The Ger
man command, it is eontended. would
abandon all hope OF eonquering Ru-
mania rather than lose at the same
time the greatest prize OF the war
the road Of steel that links Berlin sn5
Constantinople.