TURKISH CAMPAIGNS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15567, 17 April 1916, Page 7

TURKISH CAMPAIGNS.

IN ARMENIA. RUSSIAN CENTRE ADVANCES. ENEMY RETREATING IN DISORDER. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received April lfith. fi.s ■».m.) PETROGRAD, April 14. An official communique says "The Turks for six" days attacked our centre, west of Erzcroum. All attacks were repulsed with heavy enemy losses. "The Turks are everywhere falling back in disorder, and are being energetically pursued." IN KURDISTAN, TURKS HEAVILY DEFEATED. "X RUSSIANS IX PURSUIT. (Received April 16th, 11.0 p.m.) PETROGRAD, April 16. An official communique says: —. "Our troops in the Bitlis region, after fighting lasting many days, defeated a Turkish division of troops newly arrived from Constantinople. "AVc arc energetically pursuing the retreating elements. 3 '

IN MESOPOTAMIA.

A BRITISH SUCCESS. IMPORTANT GAINS MADE. ENEMY HEAVILY PUNISHED. The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, April 14 (3.5 p.m.). Lieutenant-Goneral Sir Percy Lake, Commander-in-Chief of the British. Forces in Mesopotamia, reports that 011 the afternoon of Wednesday,. April 12th, the British forces on the right (south) bank of the Tigris, forced back tho enemy's advanced lines over a distance varying from one and a half to three miles. To do so,' they had to cross an inundated belt, intercepted by deep cuts, from 500 to 1200 yards wide, extending from the Tigris to tho Umm-el-Brahm marsh. . On the left (north) bank the water from the marshes was driven by tho north-west gale into some of tho enemy's trenches at Sannaiyat. The enemy was heavily punished as lie took

refuge from tho flood in a new position. THE ENEMY'S REPORT. BRITISH FORTIFICATIONS EXTENDED. FALSE CLAIM REPEATED. (Received April 16th, 5.5 p.m.) CONSTANTINOPLE, April 14. An official communique says:— "The enemy on the Irak (Mesopotamia) front is extending his fortmcations. "Three thousand British wero killed on April 7th. They belonged chiefly to ' two brigades of the 13th Division of Kitchener's Army. We lost 75 killed, 10S wounded, and nine missing." This is the second time tho Turks have made the claim that 3000 British, were killed during tlio attack on Sannaiyat. Sir Percy Lake denied the enemy's claim, and said that the total British casualties —killed arid wounded —-were considerably loss than 3000. In tho face of this denial, it seems probable that the enemy lias minimised his own losses in the same proportion as he has exaggerated those of tho British. TURKEY'S PLIGHT. PEOPLE DYING OF HUNGER. (Received April lGth. 0.0 p.m.) GENEVA. April 15. The Turkish -paper "Tanine" states that people in Constantinople, Broussa, Angora, and Smyrna aro dying of hunger. Thousands of unemployed and halffamished people arc walking the streets of Constantinople*