The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-11
FIERCE BATTLE
FOR POSSESSION
DANUBE BRIDGE
Most Important Struggle on
East Fronts Undecided.
Russo Hurl Teu-
tons Back at Outset.
LEAVE MANY DEAD ON FIELD
Russian Fleet Comes to Aid of
Defending Army.
BOmbards COnstanza, Seaport
Held by Germo-Bulgars.

Rome, Nov 11-General Macken-
sens retreat in the Dobrudja from po-
sitions about Cernavoda continues,
wireless reports from Bucharest said
today.
A great fire is raging in the section
of Cernavoda, leading to the belief
that the Teutons fired the city before
evacuating it. The Bulgarian popula-
ton of Dobrudja is reported fleeing
to the Bulgarian border.
London, Nov. 1.-THE great battle
between Russo umanian forces and
Mackensen's troops in the DobrudJa
for possession of the bridge that cross
es the Danube at Cernavoda continues.
Advices today from Bucharest; Petro-
grad and Berlin regarding the fighting
now going on emphasize this conflict
as the most important operation of the
day on any of the many fronts.
Occupation of the Dunareav station,
about two miles due west of Cerna-
voda, was claimed by Petrograd and
not denied from Berlin, appears to
have given the Slavonic armies at
least a temporary advantage in their
efforts to press back or envelop Gen
eral Mackensen's left flank which
rests on the Danube. Military experts
here say a Slav success at this point
would change the complexion of the
Dobrudja front materially, with great
disadvantage to the Teutons
Russians are reported in strong
force about Cernavoda. They are re-
ported hurriedly bringing up artillery
for a final smash.
Reports of sanguinary fighting in
this sector appear to be borne out by
other reports to Petrograd of hundreds
of dead picked up in territory from
which Mackensen's forces have been
hammered back.
n
to the sharp fighting about Predeal
Both sides claimed the advantage. The
Berlin statement admitted the Transyl-
vania Rumanian armies adopted a
strong offensive but that all attacks
were repealed. Petrograd advices said
the Rumanians have all but completed
development of the Teutonic left
flank
In the territory about Dornavatra
in the Carpathian mountains, Russian
troops. according to Berlin, have de-
velOped a powerful offensive. The
Berlin announcement attaches much
Importance to their claim that terrific
Austrian counter attacks have chased
the Slavs from heights they took by
| storm in three days of fighting ending
victory would be to General Falken-
hayen's rear at this point, has led to
belief that the Teuton armies will
make a desperate stand
General Brusiloff's armies, Berlin
advices said today, were subjected to
a series of ferocious wave attacks
north of BaranoVichi where heavy
| fighting is going on for possession OF
railroad lines which connect with
Minsk to the northeast and with Stru-
men to the southeast of Baranovichi.
1t was at this point that Berlin report
| ed heroic achievements by soldiers
under Major General Won Wyna and a
regiment of Brandenbergers. The
Russians, according to Berlin, were
swept back to their second line
trenches after eight assaults
lombard Constanza.
Petrograd, Nov. 1.-THE Russian
fleet has come to the aid of the Sla-
vonic armies which are fighting in the
Dobrudja. An official announcement.
from the war office today said the
fleet has heavily bombarded the Ru,
manian seaport of Constanza, inflict-
ing great damage
Constanza is almost due east of Ger.
navoda where vicious fighting is nov
going on between great Russian an6
Teutonic forces for possession of the
big Danube bridge. German Genera
Won Mackensen's left wing rests or
the Danube near Carnavoda Hi:
right wing is on the Black sea neal
| COnStanZa.