THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17095, 18 February 1916, Page 6

THE CAMPAIGNS.

The capture of Erzerum by the Russians seems to have been a particularly brilliant, feat of arms, carried out under exceptional difficulties arising from the season of the year and the nature of the surrounding country. The urantl Duke, who. it will be remembered, was appointed to the governorship of the Caucasus when he was removed, from the command in the north, was supposed to have gone into retirement-, and nothing was heard of him for several months. But evidently he took his new command seriously, set to work t-o plan a campaign in earnest, and in good time opened an offensive that, gradually forced the Turks back from the frontier. His right wing had little to do beyond 1 guarding the outlets from the high country of the Trebizond district and clearing the Choitik valiey, but the left- wing had a groat deal of energetic fighting both north and south of Bake Yan, and it was chiefly with this wing that the communiques had t-o do. Having found a satisfactory series of positions he sethimself to the task of capturing Ernerum, brought up a siege train with infinite pains and opened a bombardment of the forts covering the ascent of the Devcboyun' riclgo, which guards Erzerum on the east. The general character of the country is described in tlio Notes on the War. in spite of the difficulties due to the winter season, with its hitter cold and frequent blizzards, the Russians pushed on. jth© attack, broke down the opposition, and within a week from the commencement of the assault they were in occupation of the city. The success occurs in one of the minor theatres, but it will hearten the Allies none the Ices on that account, because it is bound to have an immediate effect on the campaigns elsewhere. On the principle that force attracts force, it will draw Turkish troops to the eastern district, and will therefore prevent the reinforcement of the enemy on the Tigris. Indeed, it may draw troops from that theatre, in view of the difficulty of transporting men and guns from Constantinople. How far the two campaigns, Russian and British, have been carried out in co-operation we can only guess, but it seems reasonable to suppose that the coincidence of the Grand Duke’s offensive and General Townshend’s advance on Bagdad was not accidental.

There is little news from the European theatres. A French communique claims that the German offensive in Artois and Champagne had been stopped, and that its results have been unimportant, but it- has yet to be seen whether the series of attacks is at an end. We have a further report of the attack on the British front south of Ypres. where a fiorce, close struggle continues. The only other item of interest is an unofficial report from Rome, to the effect that the Turks and Austrians in Albania have effected a junction at Elbasan. and that they are being attacked by Essad Pasha’s irregulars.