Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-24

At the Head OF Predeal Pass Rou-
manian Frontier, With General Won
E'alkenhayns Army, Oct. IS, by Cour-
ier to Berlin, via London, Oct. 24-1n
yesterdays battle around Predeal the
Associated Press correspondent Wis
tied various German and Hungarian
battery positions, where the men, un-
disturbed by Roumanian fire, kept up a
fearful bombardment in the campaign
Of invasion of Rouinania.
The men are at their work in almost
a holiday spirit, for IL Is with sense
CT deep relief that the Germans and
Hungarians mere, officers and men
alike, have left behind, them the trench
warfare Of other regions and thrown
themselves into open field maneuvers
against the Roumanians.
It was scarcely believable that after
two years Of life at the front infantry
men should rush to battle with songs.
Tho the German and Hungarian in
fantrymen were about to rush into the
fire Of Roumanian rifles and machine
guns, they viewed the situation COM
placently, saying the worst OF open
field work was preferable to trench
drudgery. b, 2.s
The Predeal hattie is one Of the few
open field actions witnessed In this
war by correspondent, who was able
to approach within less than 5000
yards of the skirmishing.
Roumanians Generally Routed.
At II o'clock the Germans opened
desultory fire on the Roumanlan
trenches on Susaiul mountain, 5000
feet high which an hour later reached
It's maximum fury. The fire was then
directed mainly against the trenches
500 feet below the summit. For a
quarter of an hour the Roumanians
stuck to their trenches. Word coming
from the artillery spoilers that the
Roumanians thus far seemingly had
not been impressed, the artillery in
creased its fire. The Roumanian in
fantry still hung on for a time, but
finally broke into view. The German
artillery followed up the Roumanians
with shrapnel.
On a ridge leading from Susaiul
mountain, the Roumanians finally
reached their second positions. A lull
ensued q few minutes before p. m
Then it was decided to resume opera
tions. German artillery repeated the
work Of the morning and the infantry
then rushed forward. In a compara-
lively short time the objective was
gained.
Train Guns on Town.
=. The ground being difficult the Rou-
manians attempted to forward infan-
try reinforcements thru Predeal. In
side of fifteen minutes heavy German
guns blew up half the town The Rou-
%manians were forced to pass thru Ger
man fire at long range.
The battle was not marked for Sc
verify of artillery fire but great inter-
est centers in 1t because German and
Hungarian infantry, unaccustomed to
mountain fighting, was able to cope
with the difficulties OF the terrain.
Roumanians Inefficient.
The Roumanians, on the other hand,
showed lack Of military knowledge
The efficiency Of their troops suffered
because much Of the artillery had been
taken out> Of range for fear Of being
cut off. The Roun1anian artillery
therefore, made an unusually poor
showing. The Roumanian infantry did
relatively better but 1t was at the
mercy Of German and Hungarian
shells.
There was nowhere observable a
tendency to underrate the Roumani-
ans, but the officers spoke frankly OF
their many handicaps. They said the
Roumanian general staff had overlook
ed important lessons of the war-as
for instance, the absence before Rou-
manian positions Of barbed wire which
is replaced by shallow pits with point
ed sticks.
Infantry Shoots Badly.
Thus far the Roumanians have been
worsted each time by flank movements
and the superior artillery. For a time
the Roumanians had numerical SUI
periority, In one instance thirty to one
AS nearly all armies in the present
war have done, the Roumanian infan-
try shoots badly. tho an Improvement
Is noticeable.
The losses Of the German army are
said to have been light. An officer OF
the general star told the correspond
ent that in the battle Of Kronstad,
the losses in dead were less than the
number Of guns captured from the
Roumanians, which were sixty seven
Securing Jury 10 Try Copeland.
Galveston, Tex, Oct, A.-Only four
Jurors remained to be obtained when