New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-11
Forces Thrown Over the
River Between Cerna-
voda and Silistria
GERMANS HURLED
BACK IN THE NORTH
Ferdinand's Armies Turn
on Foe and Stop Ad-
vance on BuZeu

LOn1On, Dec. lJ.--N ldChcHoth - i'i""
ing another bid for the destruction or
capture Of the main RumanIsn army,
which escaped his grasp at Bucharest
and hurredly retired to the east and
north. Now the Germans commander
has sent forces, composed chiefly OF
Bulgarans, across the Danube from
the Dobrudja, aiming to cut of the Ru-
manians' retreat.
The new crossing was achieved be-
tween Cernavoda and Siistria. The
Bulgarian forces may strike westward,
capture the village Of Calarast and
move north along the railroad from
that palce to Ciulnita, junction on
the Bucharest railroad; or they may
advance on the western end of the Ger
navoda bridge, at Fetesti, and, by
forcing the retirement Of the Allied
troops, open the great span to the en-
tire Teutonic army in the Dobrudja.
The occupation of this strip Of land
east Of Bucharest would add 10000
square miles to the conquered lands
and would shorten the Teutons' front
nearly 100 miles.
Rumanians Check Foe
The days developments on the Wal
lachian front contained one feature
cheering to the Rumanian cause. For
the first time since the defence of the
Argesu was smashed by the force of
the enemy's arms and Ferdinands
troops began the retreat that has con-
tinued ever since, the Rumanians made
successful stand along the Ploesci-
Buzeu railroad and threw the enemy
back behind the Grikovul River, which
is crossed BY the railroad ten miles
east Of Ploesci.
This action indicates that the Ruma-
mans have received the reinforcements
awaited for SO long. and they have
taken up their position before Buzeu
with the intention OF defending that
important railroad junction and oil
centre to the last shot.
In several respects buzeu may be
considered the keypoint on the west
OF the line 70 which the Kumanlsns
expect TO be driven eventually. IL
controls railroads to the north, east
and west. The links of steel that con
meet Buzeu with the Sereth line az
Bacan and with the Danube line AZ
Galatz are of inestimable Importance
TO the Rumanians at this Juncture IN
the campaign.
Fight to Save Moldsvia
I. NAV be expected that the Ru-
manians will fight as they have not
vet fought before 70 retain Buzeu
and save Moldavia from the fate OF
Wallachis. i
The Russians continued their ad-
vance in three valleys on the eastern
Transylvania frontier during the day
canturinR strong height IN the
Troitus Valley. Between hirlloaoa
and Dornavstra, in the wooded Car
psthians, their efforts met with no
success, however. 3,
North of Monastir and in the bend
of the Cerna River French and Seroi-
AN forces assailed the enemy,s INES
but they were completely repuIsed- ae'
cording TO Berlin.
There is much discussion tonight
over A review OF the Rumanian cam
paign by the military critic OF the
Overseas News Agency, an outline OF
which was received here during the
day.
Reports Foe Lost $4,000
He declares the Rumanians have
lost 10000 men in prisoners and
about 100000 more in killed and
wounded. Allowing for eXaggeratlon,
retty we'll assured that the Ru-
manian army has been cut IN TWO
since Bucharest declared war.
The German critic estimates the
area conquered by the armies OF
Mackensen and Falkenhayn at about
10000 square miles, which is con-
sidered here very conservative hg-
ure. On the map it appears as II the
Teutons were in possession to-day OF
nearly 10000 square miles OF Ferdl-
nands kingdom.
The Teuton lines. according 70 the
German critic, have been shortened
nearly $50 miles.
Moldoy;o Safp pptrOOrad