WITH THE RUSSIANS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 90, 19 May 1916, Page 6

WITH THE RUSSIANS.

GERMAN OFFENSIVES. ENEMY ADVANCES REPELLED. PETROGRAD, May Pi. A communique slates: A German offensive is in progress from the village of Teruka, in the .lacobstadt region. The enemy artillery destroyed the village. The Germans also adopted the offensive south-west of Lake Medians unsuccessfully. We repelled an enemy advance near TURKISH OFFENSIVE REPULSED. PETROGKAT), -May 13. A communique states: A Turkish offensive in the direction of Bagdad was repulsed,

J THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE, APPROACHING K'HANIKIN MOUNTAINS. LONDON, May 12. I'etrograd reports that the Russians are moving towards 'Bagdad, anil are within ISO miles of the Khanikin Mountains. Their dii'iicuities have been overcome. The Russians are following up the Turks, who are now entering the Tigris Valley. A strenuous Turkish resistance is expected at a strongly fortified part of the Khanikins, where they will be strongly reinforced. SLIGHT RUSSIAN REVERSE. AND A SUCCESS. PETROGRAD, May 15. A communique states: A very large Turkish force nt Erzingan, in a furious battle, drove back our advanced posts, but their extremely severe losses forbade (heir following up their success. The enemy in Mesopotamia precipitately retreated from Mossull ami the vicinity, abandoning guns and munitions. RUSSIANS IN PERSIA. SANGUI NAR V ENGAGEMENT. TUKKS DRIVEN BACK. PETROGRAD, May .15. Despatches from Kermanshah give details of Hi hours' fighting at the Kurdish ullage of Sarmil, situated on a hill between two rugged mountain ranges 1" miles from Kirind. This is the first engagement in Persia exclusively against Turkish regulars. I Sarmil blocked the advance upon ' Kasri shirin. Fighting commenced at dawn. The Turks, who were defending the historic road to Mesopotamia, withstood a devastating Russian gunfire and successive onslaughts by the infantry until midnight, but then fell back upon Ka-ri Shirin. A British officer accom- |. ■laying the expedition speaks in the higi.es; terms of the Russians' valour. THE GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS. OFFERED A TIIGH COMMAND. LONDON, May 14. The German newspapers report that owing to his successes in Asia Minor the Grand Duke Nicholas has been offered a high command in the armies opposing Field-marshal von Mindeuburg. BRITAIN AND RUSSIA. A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING. PETROGRAD, May 14. The Novoe Vremya states that an Anglo-Russian agreement has been concluded, covering the questions of Persia and Constantinople, and removing from international relationships the poison which envenomed European policy during three-parts of the l!>th century. THE GERMANS DISPIRITED. RUSSIAN ARTILLERY TERRIFIC. MURDER OF AN OFFICER, •LONDON",'May 14. Mr li. Hamilton Fyio, I'etrograd correspondent of the Daily Mail, writes: '•There are many signs that the German iroops are depressed. The leaders have broken their promises of the capture of Riga and Dvinsk, and of thus ending the war. An unfinished letter found on a sergeant, who was taken prisoner, said: • We rail; no more of taking Dvinsk, but only of holding our positions. It was said in .January that many more troops would be sent, but we have not seen i hem. The Russians have very strong .•ii-liJlery, which is terrific in its effects. "\"n" low-»piriird soldiers are not eager to rush into danger. Recently they attempted frequently to leave the trenches, but were always driven back with shells, Eventually one company refused to advance. The officer cursed vainly, an«l then shot three or four with his revolver. The company ultimately obeyed, but a hurricane of fire from the Russian batteries drove them back. That same night the officer was murdered with a bayonet. Ten men were then balloted for and executed, aud (die company sent back.'"

THE ANZACS. NOVEL COURSE OF TRAINING. * TO MEET HUNS' METHODS. LONDON, May 14. Before going into the firing line the Anzacs were put through a course of training- in Hun methods of warfare. They were placed in a specially-built trench ami subjected to gas and flameprojector attacks. They were not impressed by the former. They state that the latter horror is a most awe-inspiring imention, lint is not of much practical use against seasoned fighters, although possibly it may momentarily affect their morale, because it is terrifying to see burning liquid sweep over the parapets.