VICTORY AFTER FIVE DAYS' BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2698, 18 February 1916, Page 5

VICTORY AFTER FIVE DAYS' BATTLE

RUSSIAN CAPTURE OF . GREAT SCORE FOR THE GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright The High Cotruuissioner reports:— o P fi i in Lonci , on ' February 16, 2.25 p.m. beven more Erzerum forts have fallen, making nine in Russian hands. ,ji , , . , 'London, February IU, 7.10 p.m. Erzerum has been captured. 1 , MASTER-STROKE IN FIFTY DEGREES OF FROST THE TURKISH STRONGHOLD DESCRIBED. (Hoc. February 17, 4 p.m.) t. r ,n u v- i i . , ', , Petrograd, February 17. the Grand Duke Nicholas's master-stroke at Erzerum was carried out despite the mountains being covered with tho deepest, snow, and the absenco ol r.ailway facilities. There were fifty degrees of frost, making tho brinein" up of siege guns a Herculean task. , . . , The outer lino, of tho fortress comprised fifteen forts, all on tho east, and eleven upon tho precipitous Deveboyun Heights, four to eight miles' east of the citadel, thus closing the Hassankala Road. Tho DeveSoyun forts are arranged in groups, soine of three, some of two, and others single, supporting one another at long ranges. Two single forts enfilpdod the groups, and another* nearest tlic citadel,' closed tho gap between tho two groups. Duo south are two forts cchelonocl oil the Palantokeu Heights, covering the road from Khinis The remaining forts ou the north side cover the Gudjabogaz Pass, which is a few miles east of tho Dumludagh Pass, which the Russians occupied last week The Grand Duko Nicholas apparently first attacked and captured tho Karagubek fort,' sixteen miles north-east of Erzerum, occupying tho height between the two roads which unite Kara River. When the line °of the outer forts was broken, there wore only the marshlands, extending for miles over the plain of Erzerum, between the Russians and the citadel. The capture of Erzerum is likely to break the Turkish ■ resistance 'in Armenia, and to have an excellent moral effect on the llussiau campaign in Central Persia, and the British fortunes in Mesopotamia. ' ° GRAND DUKE'S MESSAGE TO THE TSAR. (Rec. February 17, 9.50 p.m.) ...... , Petrograd, February 16. The Grand Duke jN'icholas has sent the following telegram to the Tsar: "Tho Almighty has lent sucli great aid to our valiant troops in the Caucasian army that Erzerum has bc-en taken, after a five days' attack in a storm of unexampled severity." REJOICING IN LONDON WHAT THE VICTORY MEANS TO THE CAUSE. (Rec. February 17, 8.25 p.m.) ... London, February 16. There is great rejoicing at the news of the fall of Erzerum, which is recognised as a triumph, proving that Russia has fully recovered from tho setback of last summer. Tlio rapidity and liigh-class character of her military movements have aroused intense satisfaction. Optimists oxpected the fall'to be deferred for at least a mouth, in view of tho terrible snowstorms, hut tho Grand Duko Nicnoias evidently hastened the final attack .in order to assist the armies in Persia and Mesopotamia, acting with the same unselfishness which dictated the rush in Kast Prussia at the commencement of the war. Jirzerum lies in a circle of barren hills, enclosing a swamp, and a fiat bakcd-brick plain. It is'a spot of appalling dreariness; and though it has 50,000 inhabitants, it has squalid bazaars and gardens like swamps. The "Daily Chronicle's" military correspondent says: "Erzerum was the key to Armenia, and politically and militarily will have immediate conse'qucnccs. Firstly, tho Turkish right-wing at Lake Van has been placed in a precarious position; secondly, the Turuis'li pressure in Mesopotamia will be alleviated, as many troops will be drawn off; thirdly, the Turks' attack on Suez will bo indefinitely postponed. Russia will never bo driven out. The towii is strong by nature rather than by "its military fortifications. It was the pivot of tho Turkish advanco in Armenia, because 'it was the road from the centre to tho frontier, including the main road from Constantinople to tho ' Caucasus, and the roads from Trebizcnd and Lako Van. The fall of Erzer'ura means the liberation of tho Armenian race. The "Daily Telegraph's" military correspondent savs: "It is difficult to realise that these brilliantly successful operations were carried out at an elevation of nearly 10,000 _feet. Notwithstanding their difficulties, tho Russians inflicted defeat after defeat on tho Turks, and crowned their victories'bv capturing one of tho most notable strongholds in tho world." The "Morning Post" says: "The capturo of Erzerum is a great event opening one route whereby Russia may enter Turkey. It fives Russia' a magnificent base for further operations, and i\ also important to tho British' as it directly threatens tho Turks in Mesopotamia. the Muezzins and Minarets of the Mosquo Saint Sophia may hoar the reverberations of "tho fall and tremble." ' ' CONSTERNATION AT" CONSTANTINOPLE. (Rec. February 17, 8.25 p.m.) a • l t t, . l . L °"don, February 16. A wireless message from Romo states that according to a report from Constantinople consternation prevails amongst the Turkish population owin" to tho announcement of the disasters at Erzerum, whore,the Ottoman troops "'a rnfusiut'. to contiuue the struazlo on account of the lack of provisions.