GREATEST SURPRISE OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2699, 19 February 1916, Page 5

GREATEST SURPRISE OF THE WAR

ENORMOUS BOOTY SECURED BRITAIN'S DEFENCE AGAINST AIR RAIDS ■ STATEMENT BY KITCHENER RUMANIAN AIR-CRAFT FLY IN BULGARIA SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS LIKELY On all hands the Russian victory at Erzerum is liailed as a-mas-ter-stroke of war, and additional reports intensify the first impressions formed of its magnitude and far-reaching importance. In Russia the opinion is held that the Turks Will make every effort to recover the fortress, but it is considered that it will take them two months to organise an attack. Rather sensational reports are current regarding the Balkans, but several of them need confirmation. One declares that three Rumanian air squadrons made a reconnoitring flight over Bulgaria, evading a heavy artillery and rifle firq. Italian reinforcements are said to have arrested the Austrian advance in Albania. The opinion is said to prevail in military circles in Paris that German activities in the Western theatre herald a general offensive. Somewhat uncertain reports,are current' about tlie progress of Ger-man-American negotiations, hut one correspondent asserts with an confidence that President. Wilson is declining a separate settlement of the Lusitania case, and demanding guarantees of a future observance by Germany of the principles of international law. Sweden is said to have invited the United States to participate in a conference of neutrals to take action against the. British blockade. Further interesting references to the British air service include a statement on the subject by Lord Kitchener. The Arabs who have lately been in the field, under Senussi and Turkish leadership, against the British forces in AVestern Egypt, are reported to be divided amongst themselves and in revolt against their Turkish taskmasters, and some of them have sought British protection.