The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-08
Press Comment Bitter Against
Bunglipg Which Put Coun-
try in War Unprepared
RACE TO EASTWARD
NOW IN FULL SWING
Berlin Announces Capture Of
Nine Thousand More Ru-
manians and Another Town.
Mackenscn Congratulated

tBy international News Service)
Cnrestrained iubilation throughout
the central empires and deep chagrin
tinctured with u note of bitterness in
the entente countries are the conse-
quences of the fall of Bucharest as
reported by the latest cable advices
from the various European capitals.
The military significance Of the
present situation in the Near East Is
temporarily eclipsed by the political
element. Nor did the last twenty-four
hours bring any far-reaching devel-
opments in the scattered Rumanian
battle areas. 1t was confirmed from
all sides that the capital fell to the
TeutonS Without siege or lombard
nent. The defending army, it's last
desperate stand on the Argos River
thwarted, took to flight eastwards on
the bucharest -Ccrnawoda rail and the
race which will decide its rescue or
doom is now in full swing.
Large Number Captured.
j. Berlin announced the capture of an
additional LOG officers and 800 men
yesterday and told of the fall of CAM
Pine. between krunstadt and Ploesci
in addition To the capture OF the latter
town and Sinaia. King Ferdinand's
summer residence.
The Russian war office admitted the
evacuation of Bucharest. the eastward
retirement of the Rumanians in Wal
achia under stubborn rear guard ac-
tons. and the withdrawal of the army
south of the capital.
The Berlin Lokai Anziger places the
total number of Rumanian prisoners
thus far brought into Germany's in
terror at 10000.
The fighting in the wooded Car
pathians and in the Transylvanian
| ridges is still violent but continues on
a more or less local scale.
In the Teutonic nations and the
countries of their Eastern allies. the
victorious whirlwind campaign against
the most fertile Balkan Kingdom Is
hailed as an achievement of the first
order.
Monarchs, statesmen and high mili-
tary chiefs. In congratuatory tele-
grams and public utterances, describe
1T as Fastening the end of the war.
Hindenburg Makes Good.
Emotional touches are added to the
rejoicing by the facts that Field Mar
shall Won Mackensen took Bucharest
, on his sixty seventh birthday; that the
city fell exactly a hundred days after
Rumania, upon declaring war. sent
her legions to invade Hungary. and
| that Hiadenburg has surpassed all
hopes pinned on him by his country
men when he assumed the office OF
chief of the great general staff.
| In the entente nations on the other
hand. the shock of the Teuton blows
! in Rumania, eliminating in the cap
! ture of Bucharest, and still pushed
with una bated vigor in the pursuit
/ OF the shattered defenders, found ex-
| preston in gloomy ress comment.
marked here and there by bitter at
ttacks on those responsible for the
diplomatic manipulations that brought
about Rumanias untimely interviews
ton and for the failure to avert the
disaster by timely and concerted mili-
| tary action.
/ Coming, as it does. coincidentally
with serious governmental crises in
England, France and Russia, at =
time when a substantial victory is
needed as never before to counterfeit
those internal difficulties, the Ruman,-
! ian debacle serves to deepen the
gloom and bring into the open much
of the long-fostered discomfort.
Thus the Petit Journal. of Paris.
says France realizes with bitterness
| of spirit that we are partly respon-
sible for the catastrophe which was
not due entirely to the military abili-
ties Of the enemys leaders"
| View 1t With Grief and Shame"
Leading British papers view the
Rumanian reverses with grief and
shame" and refer to the colossal
| biuHoeTS Oh lSOFu bEey diplomacy.
| The London Post admits great gain
| Of prestige for the central pawers but
says the stratesical value of the
whole campaign depends upon wheth-
| er the Teutons will be able to estab-
| lish themselves firmly the Black
| Sea coast.
! General r. b. Maurice. chief d.
I rector of military operations at tina
! British war office. in an interview.
I
/ faulty organization OF equipment and
railroads and lack of heavy guns. He
! discredited the Teuton claims Of
prisoners and held out hope for
/ final Rumanian stand on the narrow
northeastern neck of the kingdom.
| He conceded considerable moral and
! political effect" to the conquerors. but
asserted the fall of the capital was
| without military Significance"
The Berlin war office was quick to
exploit the moral and political ad-
vantages OF the situation. In its daily
statement yesterday 1t speaks Of
Bucharest as "the latest victim OF the
entente policy" 1t eulogizes the
"clear-sighted command" and the
valor and endurance of the troops.
1t makes clear that the main body Of
the invading armies consisted of Gers
| man forces. but does not fail to laud
the brave Austro- Hungarian. Bul~
garian and Turkish troops" Ss
No Praise for Won FAlkcnhayn.
One fact which Is worth noting ~
that General Won Falkenhaynss nam1
! is conspicuous by its absence IN The
Official euiogies. The Kaiser sent NE
| telegram yesterday to Field MArsh1ls
| Won Mackensen, paying gi0wina
| tribute to the lAtter's Leadership. tt y
onicial report also mentions The 49,
Il y