RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1916, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

CAPTURE OF TREUZOND. AN IMPORTANT SUCCESS. 'New York, April 18. A Renter's message from Petrograd states that the Russians have captured Trebizond. (Trebizond is an important seaport at the south-east corner of the Black Sea, 110 miles north-west of Erzerum. It is the natural outlet for much of the trade of Persia and Kurdistan.) GRAND DUKE'S EASTER GIFT. A BRILLIANT ACHIEVEMENT. Received April 19, p.m. Petrograd, April 19. The capture of Trebizond proves to be the Grand Duke Nicholas' Easter present to his countrymen. The rapidity of the operations is a triumph for General Yudenitch, who is leading the army. Trebizond was less fortified than Erzerum, but a ragged mountain ridge, eight thousand fet in height protected it on the south. German engineers worked feverishly to complete the defences until the only possible frontal attack was along a narrow coast line. The success was largely due to the Russians advancing along Chorale Valley, thus preventing a third Turkish army joining the defenders of Trebizond, while the Russians, pushing on Erzingan, intercepted the Turkish reinforcements. The long converging roads will enable the Russians to turn the whole front to Erzingan, where there is the main Turkish concentration. The possibility of re-victualling the armies by sea, instead of by difficult mountain* denies, will enormously lighten the Russian commissariat. Meanwhile, the roads are being improved, and a railway is being constructed from Sarykamysh to Erzerum.

HEROIC EXPLOITS. INOiKWHLE DIFFICULTIES OYKV, COME. FLEET CO-OPERATES, Received April 19, 8.50 p.m. Petrograd, April 19. A communique states: The efforts of the Caucasian-army and Black Sea fleet were crowned by the capture of Trobizond, the most important fortification on the Anatolian coast, after a sanguinary battle on the 14th. The troops pressed the Turks without respite, overcoming incredible difficulties everywhere, and shattering the more obstinate resistance. The co-operation of the fleet permitted us to effect a more daring landing in support of the troops. The heroic exploits of the Caucasian army operating inland facilitated the success of the troops on the coast.