The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-23
CAPTURE CITY
OF C0NSTANzA
FROM RUMANIA
Most Important Victory Since
Rumania SCOT In"
Bulgar- Germans Advance 12
Miles in Two Days.
DEFENDERS R0UT DISASTROUS
TeutOns' Biggest Objective in
DObrudja Campaign.
Cuts OFF Nation From Supplies
by Sea From Russia.
Bulgar-Germans Advance 12
Miles in Two Days.
DEFENDERS ROUT DISASTROUS

Berlin, Oct. 23.-COnStanza, Ru
mania's greatest seaport, has fallen
before Field Marshal Mackensen's
armies. it. was officially announced
this AFTERNOON. Capture of the city is
the greatest single achievement for the
Central Powers since Rumania entered
the war eight weeks ago. The capture
is looked upon by German military
critics as of more Importance than any
of the gains of the allies.
Official dispatches from the German
and Bulgarian war office indicate that
the Russo -Rumanians have suffered i
disastrous rout.
Smashing northward along the
Black sea coast, Mackensens armies
occupied first the Rumanian port of
Tuzla and then swept onward thru
strongly fortified Rumanian lines of
defense, marching twelve miles to
Constanza in a little more than two
days.
Retreat Demoralized.
The rapidity of the Teuton ad-
vance is accepted as an indication
that the Russians and Rumanians be-
treme1y disordered retreat. An Jffi-
cial statement from Sofia earlier in the
day, reporting the capture of village
six miles south of Constanza prepared
Berlin for news of a great victory.
Troops of the central powers have
crossed the railway line running be-
tween the Black sea port of Constanza
and the River Danube at point to
the east of Murfattar, the official an
nouncement SAYS The fortress of
Constanza was taken by German and
Bulgarian troops.
On the left wing of Field Marshal
Won MackenSenS army, the statement
adds, the Germans and their allies are
approaching the Danube town of
Tchernavoda.
Principal Railroad Center.
Constanza is one of the principal
objectives of Field Marshal Won Mack
ensen in his campaign in Dobrudja. 1t
is of particular Importance by reason
of the fact that it is the eastern
I terminus of the only railroad between
the Black sea and the Danube, which
| it crosses at Tchernavoda. Thence
the railroad runs westward into old
Rumania.
j Won Mackensen's new campaign in
Dobrudja was begun only last week,
on october 10, when an offensive
along the entire line from the Black
sea to the Danube was opened. The
earlier effort of the field marshal was
started soon after Rumania's entrance
into the war. 1t was notably success
full in its swoop down the Danube,
resulting in the capture of the fortress
of Turtukai on Septmber s. and of
Silistria a few days later, but came to
halt on September %, when the Ru-
manians announced a defeat of the
forces of the central powers we'll to
the south of the Constanza -Tcherna-
voda line.
The opposing armies stood dead
| locked here for several weeks while
the Teutonic offensive under General
J Won Falkenhayn, in Transylvania was
! opened and the Rumanians were driv-
en- back to their northern frontier
passes. The pressure from the south
was then renewed and apparently
without a check of any account, Won
Mackensen's armies have forced their
way northward towards the railroad
| line, finally reaching it on its easter
| ly end at Constanza.
| Cut Off Ammunition Supplies.
] Constanza has been notably useful
| in offering a seaport and railway en-
! trance for Russian troops and am
! munition sent to the aid of Rumania.
| It's capture cuts off the most conven-
| lent water route for Rumanian re-
| punishment, especially in munitions,
of which the RumaniaRs have been re-
+ ported badly in need. Possession of
the entire line would give the Teutonic
allies the easiest road to interior Ru-
mania from the southeast over the
! Tchernavoda bridge.
/ Constanza is Rumania's greatest
maritime port and its harbor works
have been extensively developed. The
| city was partially rebuilt when Dob
rudja was ceded to Rumania in 1873.
1t has been the base of the Rumanian
| black sea squadron. The city before
the war had a population of about
$4,000.