THE MIDDLE EAST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17096, 19 February 1916, Page 9

THE MIDDLE EAST.

FALL OF ERZERUM. OFFICIAL DETAILS. CAPTURED BY TRIPLE .MOVEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PETROCRAD, February 17. An official message estimates that the Erzerurn garrison nnmhered one hundred thousand, with >167 guns, while the advanced forts had 671 guns, and the. central forts ’2OO. The newspaper “ Russky Invalid” states that the Caucasus Army performed a miracle which military historv will remember for years to eoniei. Other newspapers emphasise the fact that the town is the junction of great roads. Tiic Turks will try to regain it, but cannot bring up reinforcements in less than two months. The Russians will strengthen the fort in the meantime. The Grand Duke Nicholas captured the city by an adroit innncouvre, involving a triple combined movement, paralysing tho enemy’s centre, turning his "wings and overflowing his mean* of communication. The fall, it is stated, will not pass unnoticed by Athens and Bucharest.

ERZERUM FORTS INTACT

(Received February 18. 5,25 p.m.) ROME, February 17. A wireless states that Erzerum is intact. The Turks had no time to destroy tho fortifications and buildings or th'i enormous booty left.

The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, February 18. Another twenty-five guns were captured at Erzerum in the first line ot forts. Thirty-nine officers and law askaris were captured at Fort lalt alone.

TURKISH REPORT. ■juSui'doo —nop*T3os»y ijdfliSspi *9 AMSTERDAM, February 17. A Turkish communique states:—The Russians in the Caucasus in three days lost over .7000 killed and sixty prisoners. GERMAN MARK FALLS. AMSTERDAM, February 17. The German mark fell heavily following the news of the fall of Erzerum. WHAT THE VICTORY MEANS. MR, ASHMEAD BARTLETT'S VIEW. SYDNEY, February 18. Mr Ashmoad Bartlett considers that the importance of the capture of Erzerum cannot be overestimated. Tt formed a vital turning point in tho Russian advance. There is every probability now, though a year later than was lioped, of finding the Allied armies on route to Constantinople.

LONDON OPINIONS. " Times ” and Sydney " Sun ’’ Services. (Received February 18. -3.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. “The Times” in a leading article says that tho fall of Erzerum was one of tho greatest- surprises of the wai and should have most important je suits. It was the chief city m lurkisii Armenia, and is the strongest strategical position in Asiatic Turkey. Experts considered it to be impregnable, and it is believed that four Turkish. aim> corps wore concentrated in this area. The Grand Duke Nicholas's staff caught Enver Pasha and Field-Marshal von tier Goltz unawares, striking Turkey the severest blow of tho war. I.lie links made a fatal mistake in not taking the Russian movements in that area sencusly, devoting their attention to Bagdad and Ctcsiphon. " The limes points out that although the Russian victory will ease the pressure m Mesopotamia bv greatly complicating tho Turkish problem of supplies, it wou.d bo unwise to expect immediate results. The great range of Armenian Taurus Mountains is still separating the Russian and British loroon*. WNc must light our own battles, but the capture of Erzerum is a bitter disappointment to the Turks, and will have almost an effect equal to what would have been felt if it had been Bagdad.”

FIRST ENTENTE VICTORY THIS YEAR. By Telegraph—Pr««s Association—Copyright. LONDON, February 17. The “ Daily Mail ” says that the brilliant feat at Erzerum is tho first victory for the Entente in 191 b.

“METZ OF EASTERN TURKEY.” EFFECT ON THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. LONDON, February 17. A Reuter correspondent interviewed a British diplomatist who made a prolonged stay in Erzerum. He stated that the fall of what may be called the Metz of Eastern Turkey will have the greatest effect throughout the Ottoman Empire, and have an influence from Teheran to the Balkans. It throws all Kurdistan open to the Russians, and will enable them to capture Bitlis Goi'ge, and it will greatly affect the situation in Mesopotamia. It will end all solicitude about Northern Persia, and will also influence the attitude of the Kurds, who even now are doubtful supporters of the Turks. “ Knowing the Near East as I do,’ said the diplomatist, “ 1 think it is not easy to over-estimate tho importance of the fail. The Russians entered at the Camel Neck, which is a long, winding pass. This is a wonderful achievement, which the Turks doubtless thought was impossible.”

FICHT NEAR ADEN.

TURKS CLAD! A SUCCESS. AMSTERDAM, February 17. A Turkish communique states: — We almost annihilated an enemy detachment near Aden. The survivors fled, abandoning their baggage.