Evening star., 1916-12-24

other arenas. But the very fact that
the front has been shortened would
make it appear that Won Mackensen
should continue his progress despite
| the removal of forces to other sections
The Germans claim no material prog
ress on the Wallachia side of the Dan
ube. with the exception of the mme-
diate region of Buzeu, where consider
able success has been scored The Ru-
manians eXtricated themselves from the
region of Fetesci, and it is declared
that the armies of King Ferdinand now
are safely behind the line of the River
Sereth. in the region of Jassy and
Ressarabia, where they are to be re-
fitted and reorganiZed for important
, campaigns which are sure to follow the
present series of reverses.
The burden of saving the bulk of the
Rumanian armies has fallen squarely
upon the shoulders of the Russians
and it would appear that they, notwith-
standing their activity on 1.100 miles
of front. have succeeded admirably in
protecting their weaker allies from
complete extinction. The Russians are
offering the most stubborn sort of re-
sistance to the Germans all through
Wallachia and even Berlin admits that
progress is slow. though declaring this
is due largely to the evil weather con-
ditionS now being encountered. The
Russians have been particularly sue
cessful in the region Of Dihbatigu.
At first glance it would appear that
the Russians may be holding the enemy
that positions along the River Sereth
| may be prepared. This line of defense
running northwest by southeast is a
strong one. possibly even better adapt
ed for a stand against the Germans
than the line of the River Buzeu
section Will depend much, for unless
they hold firm
Slavs Must Hold at this point
to Gain 0bjectives. NV rms esaA"s tora"
withdrawal Of all those Russian forces
which have been giving desperate bat
tie to the enemy in the lower Carpa-
thians. more particularly in the Kirli-
baba sections. Such retrograde
movement on the part of the Slavs in
the lower Carpathian regions would be
suicidal to their hopes of breaking
through the mountain passes onto the
plains Of Hungary, there to cut COM
munIcation lines running into Ruma-
MIA through Hermannstadt and Kron-
Stadt.
Even now it is extremely doubtful
that the Russians could materially af-
feet the general trend of the German
campaign by such n movement for the
reason that the Germans have pro-
gressed too far. Germany keeps mu-
nltlon lines open into Bulgaria. and
though the more direct lines be cut by
the Russians. there still would be a
means of keeping equipped those ar
mics operating against the Russians in
Wallachia and the Dobrudja As to the
victualing of the invading forces, this
task has been reduced to almost a n n H.
solute minimum by virtue of the seiz-
ures OF great food stores in the sue
cessful conquest of King Ferdinand's
realm.
While the Russians and Germans are
battling in Wallachia sharp struggles
nave been going on in the Dobrudia.
"nere the Russians and Rumanians
aiter pressing Won Mackensen back to
the ConstanZa-Cernavoda railroad have
| once. more retreated to the nor,bern.
stretches of the province The Ger
mans expect the most stubborn resist
ance IN the wooded sections of north
ern Dobrudja and Il is believed tha+
| official announcements to This efyect
! from Berlin probably are made that
| the German people may not be led tn
e1pect 100 much of the future in this
| particular section
| The different branches of .ho d.
mahian government are said to have
oeen moved to Kiev and petroprad
rom winch points the future destinies
| time being. at least "
king Ferdinand and Gen. Alexier held
| an important conference during the
week on the general situation confronI
| ing Rumania, and il would not be a,
! All surprising that once the Rurna.,ian
| armies, at present greatly disorgar-
ized. are placed in fighting trim again
| properly equipped and munjtiono1
hshting of even more intense sort than
| that which the world has witnessed in
fumania during recent months win re-
| suit.
|
| The great French advance on a seven
| mile front to the northeast of Verdun
| front was fol-
French Progress lowed up by
in Verdun Region. srh,inm II d,'rin's u
the early days of the week just closed.
| The French continued to advance. TAX