The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-27
Believe Rumanians Evaded the
Trap Set by Germans.
Muddy Roads Retard Pursuing
Teutons in WaIIachia.
REFUGEES FLEEING CITIES
'sRumania Army VIII Be De-
strOyed'-VOn FaIkenhayn.
eRumania Played With Fire,
Now Is Getting Burned"

London. Nov. 27.-News from Ger
man sources caused a renewal of hope |
here today that Rumania, may. AFTER /.
all. eStricate herself frsm the pre-
carious position in which her Waha-
chan forces have been placed by Won
Falkenhayn's concededly brilliant
stragetic campaign.
OF prime basis for this hope was
the utter lack, in all the German OIL
fetal reports of any claims OF large
captures of prisoners or war NUM-
tions. If the Rumanian army had ac-
tually been trapped by the encircling
movement around Orsova and Turnu-
SEVERN. reaching over to Craiova, 1t
was REGARDED as certain the Berhn
official reports would have chronIcleu
big captures of men and supplies. III
thermore, it is known here that NE
Rumanians succeeded IN removing an
Of their artillery from Craiova before
that city fell into the hands OF the
enemy.
Bad weather Saves Army.
One other source of hope was the
report from German correspondents
at Won Falkenhayn's headquarte[,s
that further progress beyond the ar
was delayed because of the conollioH
of the roads. Both of these bits OF
news led military experts here TO re-
construct a story of an orderly retreat
of the Rumanian forces from the
angle on which two arms of the Ieu-
tonic forces are now exerting pres
sure
There was no disposition. however,
to disguise the fact that Rumania Is
still perilously placed. II 1t were sum-
rner weather, and if the terrain Were
not rafn-soaked or muddy from nan
frozen sIush. the crossing OF the Dan
In
fort TO turn the flank of the Human
fans might prove successful AS it u.s.
their rresence on Rumanian soil con-
stitutes an ever present menace.
Roads Black With Refugees.
Nov. 24.-(via Berlin and Sayviile
vfreIess)-"Our task is to destroy the
Runnanian arny-and that we are uO
ing as best we can.
Go smoke General Won Falkenhayn
4odav his brows wrinkled but mis- eyes
erarkiing as ne submitted to questions
concerning the victorious progress Oh
his troops against Rumania
ss6,r FLYERS" ne continued report
ffe Rufnanian roads black with people
and wagons bearing refugees Ileelne
from Little Wallachia toward the All
river That Is the terrible part or war:
That soldiers should suffer is war, out
fhat women and children should be
put TO such misery-that is terrible
But it was Rumania's choice Ru-
mania played with fire too long-and
is now getting burned"
How soon do you expect to get TO
Bucharest? ?" the German general was
asked.
Do We Want Bucharest?
"Do we want Bucharest he re-
eponded Immediately. Every time we
take charge of city we have to feed
the population. We are not bothered
by that question-we are soldiers Our
task is to destroy the Rumanian army
and that we are doing as best we
can"
"May 1 ask another question, your
excellency?'' was ventured.
The generals eyebrows moved uI
and down and his eyes looked ou
sharply as only Won Falkenhayn's eye:
can do. He nodded assent.
s'Wheu will the Rumanian army be
Destroyer"
A few officers standing near By
smiled. But Falkenhayn looked
straight at his questiOner as he said:
Rain or snow, a railroad accident
or most anything can destroy the bes
made plans. 1 have been in this wa
two and a half years and can say thu
only certain thing about it is-uncer
tainty. 1 am only certain of one thing
and that is, that we will win
Flyers TO Rumania Aid.
Reports here say that a number o
allied aviators have reached Bucha
rest. 1t is believed also that Russi;
has by this time poured heavy rein
forcements into Rumania, probably in
GLIDING a large number of cannon. TIL
greatest handicap which the Ruman
ians have had was their lack of aeria
scouts to seek out and report the sor
of encircling movements which hav
formed the basis for Won Falkenhayn'
success. Their artillery also has bee
@ut-ranged by the. Germans.
As near as can be estimated herr
from official statements on both side