The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 February 1916, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY

Capture of Erzeroum — Effect of Russian Victory — Enemy Submarines Sunk—Defence Against Zeppelins

The capture by the Russians of the Turkish fortress of Erzeroum, in Armenia, after a five days' attack, is officially announced. The fall of the fortress has caused consternation in Constantinople. It is hailed in Britain as a sign of the com-

plete recovery of Russia and the

liberation of the Armenians, and L because of its probable effects on pHhe situation in Mesopotamia, l;;^Persia, and even further afield. It is unofficially reported that the French have sunk two, if not three, enemy submarines in the Adriatic in the past three days. A debate in the House of Commons on the British air service drew assurances from members of the Government that everything possible is being done to improve and increase the pror tection against the Zeppelin raids.

The allies have offered formal assurances to Belgium that they will not end hostilities until" Belgium is restored to political and economic independence and liberally indemnified.

A French newspaper states that Italy will shortly strike at Germany.

French aeroplanes raided the enemy's camp at Strumnitza, in Bulgaria, dropping 158 bombs.

SATURDAY

Greek Defend their Frontier— Airmen Fly over Bulgaria— Austrians Checked in Albania

Greek troops have been engaged against Bulgarian irregulars, who are penetrating into Greece. The Bulgarians were routed after a fight lasting two hours. The Greeks are now defending their whole frontier.

The anxiety of Roumania as to the movement of troops on her frontier to Bulgaria led her to send airmen out to .make observations. They returned, despite a heavy fire, and reported having seen 50,000 troops. /

The Austrian frontier to Switzerland has been closed. There are movements of troops towards the Balkans, especially in the direction of Roumania.

Earl Kitchener states that Zeppelin raids on Britain have had no military effect. One Zeppelin that took part in the last raid was lost at sea, and it is believed that a second was put out of action.

A storm carried a Zeppelin across the Belgium frontier into Holland, where it was wrecked. The crew were interned.

The conquest of Cameroon has be&n completed and active operations -have practically ended.

MONDAY

Pursuit of the Turks — Germans Repulsed in West — The Poor Armenians—America and "Armed" Merchantmen! ■

The Russians are hotly pursuing the Turks west of Erzeroum, and are inflicting heavy losses on the rear columns of the enemy. An attempted stand ten miles west of the fortress failed. Sivas, 250 miles to the west, and slightly south, of Erzeroum, is mentioned as one of the objectives of the

Russians

The Russian Black Sea fleet is co-operating by destroying coastal bridges. p|gJßefQre the evacuation of SrzeiHpum, Khurds massacred thousands of Armenians. Tfr^i^^pajL- - movement in BukoTinP^is said to have developed into a serious offensive which is being prosecuted, despite heavy losses. German attacks south of Frise, near Neuville Saint Vaast, and Upper Alsace failed. In the latter case the enemy reached the French trenches, but were t expelled.

Reversing her previous declaration., of policy, the United States >;as announced that she recognises the right of merchantmen to carry defensive armament. The Secretary of State has stated that Germany's threats against gwrmed merchantmen were inconsistent with her previous assurances, and that America requires assurances extending immunity to all merchantmen.

TUESDAY Advance in Armenia — Turks' Disorderly Flight — Seaplanes ftajd English Coast — Germans Repulsed in Belgium The Bussian forcss in Armenia have captured Mush, an import-

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

flames

ant military station 80 miles' south of Erzeroum, on a fertile plain, and Akhlat, on the north shore of Lake Van, 95 miles south and east of Erzeroum. The capture of these two towns is regarded as being of importance, because it separates the Turkish forces and cuts the lines of communication. The Turks are fleeing in all directions.

The capture of Erzeroum is regarded as making Roumanian intervention more probable.

A force of 130,000 Servians, which has been re-equipped in Corfu, is ready to take the field.

Four hostile seaplanes raided the east and south-east coast of England. Bombs were dropped on Lowestoft, in Suffolk, and Walmer, in Kent. ' The casualties were two men and a boy killed and a marine wounded. The raiders were pursued by the British machines, but escaped. *

The Germans attempted to cross the Vser Canal, in Belgium. Only a few reached the British line, and they were immediately driven back.,

WEDNESDAY

Conquest of (Armenia—Russians in Possession — -Turkish Army in Danger — Zeppelin and Fokker Wrecked

Armenia is now practically in the hands of the Russians. The Turkish left wing is in extreme danger, being without supplies, far from its base, and with Russians across its line of retreat. The Russians have captured a further 2500 prisoners and guns.

A Zeppelin, a Fokker aeroplane and six other enemy aeroplanes, have been brought down at various points on the western front. The Zeppelin was hit by an armoured car, and fell in

German gas attack's south of the Somme were repulsed. The enemy also failed at Hill 140, near Neuville St. Vaast.

A British airman, reconnoitring the enemy's advanced posts east of the Suez Canal, destroyed a power-station. The House of Commons has passed a vote of £430,000,000. The credits since the outbreak of the war total £1,782,000,000, and the total war votes are now £2,082,000,000. The daily expenditure is expected to rise above £5,000,000.

THURSDAY

Trebizond Threatened — Russians Landing Troops—German Atracks in the West — Whereabouts of Japanese Fleet

Russian transports aie landing large forces on the Armenian coast, 70 miles east of Trebizond, against feeble resistance. The Russians are advancing on the Black Sea littoral at the ratg of 20 miles a day, and are threatening Trebizond. The Turkish losses in killed, wounded, and prisoners at Erzeroum are estimated at 40,000.

By a violent assault near Givenchy, the Germans destroyed and occupied 800 yds of trench. A French counter-attack regained a portion of the ground. • German attacks near Brabant-sur-Meuse failed, but the enemy occupied a salient north of Beaumont.

German newspapers state that a Japanese fleet has arrived in the Mediterranean, accompanied by a great number of aircraft.