THE RUSSIAN VICTORY AT ERZERUM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2704, 25 February 1916, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN VICTORY AT ERZERUM

THE TSAR RETURNS THANKS By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright ........ . Petrograd, February 23. The Tsar was present at a thanksgiving service for the Erzorunv victory. He unexpectedly attended, and addressed a gathering of members of the Duma in the Catherine Hall, an event which M. Rodzianko (President of the Duma) subsequently described as historic. The Tsar said ho rejoiced to join in thanksgiving for the success of tho valinnt Caucasian army. He wished tho Duma a period of fruitful labour, and complete success.' M. Rodzianko expressed the Duma's joy at seeing the Tsar amongst them, reaffirming that union with a loyal people which showed tho path to victory. The Duma opened amid scones of unparalleled enthusiasm. The Allied Ambassadors and Ministers attended. M. Rodzianko's speech was cheered. He said the capture of Erzerum -was the first rays in the dawai of victory, rising in the east. His greeting to Russia's gallant Allies was drowned in 'an outburst of cheering. The Ambassadors, on rising, received an ovation. The President bade Serbia be of good courage, and hope for a triumphant resurrection. .M. Sazonoff (Foreign Minister) ridiculed Germany's argument that the Allies desired the annihilation of the GBrman people; all they demanded was to crush Pmissianism. The Allies had secured complete union without sacrifice of their independence, whereas Germany's Allies wero mero vassals. He •earned Bulgaria that there was coming a disillusionment, and acknowledged the valued co-operation of Japan. GERMAN PRESS COMMENT OK ERZERUM COLLAPSE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ml „ „ ~,,,,,. London, February-23. The German Press is belatedly discussing the fall of Erzerum. The Cologne Gazette, referring to the possibility of a Kurdish Tevolt, cynically states that, the Armenian population has been too weakened to seriously cooperate in any rising. The "Hamburger Nachrichten" suggests that Turkey received the news with unequalled calmness, because the loss of Erzerum was'not published. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" realises the gravity of the fall of Erzerum, and denounces as dangerous the attempt to hush up news concerning it The Turks, says the paper, need determined leadershin and considerable reinforce■ments. ALLIES BOMBARDING ASIA MINOR COAST. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) , r _ T_ . \ London, February 23. Mr. W. Jeffries the "Daily Mai "correspondent at Athens, sirvs the Allies are regularly bombarding tho Asia Minor coast, especially the entrance to the Gulf of Smyrna. ■ ANOTHER SEPARATE PEACE RUMOUR. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) T , . . , „ . ~ _ . ' London, February 23. It is rumoured that the Turks have approached Mr. Henry Morgenthau, late United States Ambassador to Turkey, who is Jiolidav-makimV in Constantinople, with a view to sounding Russia regarding a separate peace. SIGNIFICANT AUDIENCES ■ ™ ■ , A ', Buoharest, February 23. There is much comment over the King of Rumania gifiii<r an audienco to M. i'lhpcsco andYM. Take Jonescu, ox-Ministers (of pro-Entente convictions). ,t<- n i l- • ~, ,r • , ' Athens, February-23. . King Constantino received M. Venizelos, and also gave a long audience to M. Don, Rumanian Minister.. GENERAL SARRAIL CONFERS WITH THE KING. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. February 24, 5.10 p.m.) ! a l'c ul j. l i, i „ London, February 23. \ A report from Athens states that General Sarrail had an audience with King Gonstautme, which lasted an hour, after which he visited M. Skouloudis (the Premier), M. Zaimis, and M. Venizelos. Later King Gonstaiitine informed American correspondents that he was delighted with tho result pf the conference, which was the first step towards clearing up the diilerences between Greece and the Allies. King Constantino told General Sarrail that tho Allies need never fear Greek hostility. Several correspondents state that important Greco-Rumanian decisions are pending. BULGAR RULER FOR GREATER ALBANIA. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

■ ' ' . London, February 23. 'The Athens correspondant of "The Times" says the Greek newspapers are giving prominence to reports that influential Bulgarian politicians are advocating the creation of a Greater Albania, under Prince Cyril of Bulgaria (King Ferdinand's second son), and including' part of Serbia.