THE MIDDLE EAST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17095, 18 February 1916, Page 7

THE MIDDLE EAST.

CAPTURE of erzerum. RUSSIANS TAKE TURK FORTRESS. ENEMY IN FULL FLIGHT. BATTLE IN DEEP SNOW. By Telegraph—Preen Association—Copyright LONDON, February 16. The Russians have taken Erzerum. (Received February 18, 12.30 a.m.) PETROGRAD, February 17.

The garrison at Erzerum was estimated at 80,000. The Turks are in full flight westward. A communique states:—We captured seventy guns, besides munitions and prisoners in the nine forts on the Deveboyun position covering Erzerum Tho defenders were dislodged at the bayonet’s point. The Turks are hurrying up reinforcements from the west and south. The southern parts of Erzerum are in flames. *

(Received February 17, 5.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD, February 16,

The Grand Duke Nicholas's masterstroke at Erzerum was carried out despite the fact that, the mountains are covered with deepest snow, the absence of railway facilities _ and the fifty degrees of frost experienced making tho liurrying-up of siege guns a Herculean task. The outer line of fortresses comprised fifteen forts all to the east. Eleven were upon the precipitous Deveboyun Heights, from four to eight miles east of the citadel, thus closing the Hassan Kala road. The Dcve.boyun forts are arranged in groups, some of three, some of two forts, and others single, supporting one another. At long ranges two single forts enfiladed the groups, another, nearest the citadel closed the gap between two groups. Due south arc two ferts in echelon on the Palanduken heights, covering the ground from Khinis. The remaining forts on the north side cover tho Gurdjnbogaz Pass, which is a few miles east of Dmnludagh Pass, occupied by the Russians last week. The Grand Duke Nicholas apparently first attacked and captured Kara Oubek fort, sixteen miles north-east of Erzerum, and occupying a height between two roads which unite at the Kara River. When thy line of the outer forts was broken only tho marshlands, extending for niilen over the plain of Erzerum, were between tho Russians and the citadel. ' The capture of Erzerum is likely to break the Turkish resistance in ' Armenia. and will have an excellent moral effect on the Russian campaign in Central Persia and the British fortunes in Mesopotamia. GRAND DUKE’S MESSAGE.' '•FIVE DAYS UNEXAMPLED ASSAULT.;’ (Received February 17, 9.50 p.m.) PETROGRAD, February 16. The Grand Duke Nicholas in a tole-

gram to the Czar, said:—“The Almighty lent such great aid to the valiant, troops of the Caucasian army that Erzerum was taken after five days of unexampled assault.”

IMPORTANCE OF THE CAPTURE. “THE KEY TO ARMENIA.” MILITARY EXPERTS’ VIEWS. (Received February 17, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. The “Daily Chronicle’s” military correspondent "says that Erzerum was the kev to Armenia, political and military. The immediate consequences are: First, that the Turkish right wing at Lake Van is in a nreearious position; secondly, that the Turkish pressure in Mesopotamia will be alleviated, as many troops must be drawn off; thirdly, that the Turks’ attack on Suez must bo indefinitely postponed. Russia will never be driven out of the town, which is strong by nature rather than by reason of its military fortifications. It was the pivot for the Turkish advance in Armenia, because it was the road-centre to the frontier, including the mnin road ’from Constantinople to the Caucasus and the roads from Trebizond to Lake Van. The fall means the liberation of the Armenian race.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” military correspondent says that it is difficult to realise that these brilliantly successful operations were carried out at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet. Notwithstanding the difficulties, the Russians inflicted defeat after defeat on the Turks, and crowned their victories by capturing one of the most notable strongholds of the world. The “Morning Post” save:—“The capture of Erzerum is a great event, opening the one route by which Russia may enter Turkev. Tt gives Russia a magnificent base for further operations, and is also important to Hie British, as it directly threatens the Turks in Mesopotamia." Even Muezzins in the minarets of Saint Sophia may hear the reverberations of the. fall and tremble.”

LONDON REJOICES. CAPTURE EARLIER THAN WAS EXPECTED. (Received February 17, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. There is rejoicing at the news of tho fall of Erzerum. It is recognised as a triumph, proving that Russia has fully recovered from tho set-back of last summer. Tho rapidity and high class of the movements have aroused intense satisfaction. Even optimists expected the tall to be deferred at least a month in view of the terrible snowstorms, but the Grand Duke Nicholas evidently hastened tho final attack in order to assist the armies in Persia and in Mesopotamia, acting with the same unselfishness which had dictated tho rush to East Prussia at the commencement of the war. Erzerum lies in a circle of barren lulls, enclosing a swamp and flntbnkodbrick plain. The spot is appalling m its dreariness. Though it has oO.OQjPinhabitants. Erzerum lias squalid bazaars and gardens iix tba swamps.

TURKS DISHEARTENED. A Rome wireless states:—A Constantinople message says that there is consternation owing to the announcement, of the disaster at Erzerum, where the Ottoman troops are refusing to continue the struggle ou account of lack of provisions.