THE NEAR EAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3265, 11 October 1916, Page 16

THE NEAR EAST.

A Russian communique states: —Our detachments in the Caucasus made a sudden resumption of tho effensivo with the cooperation of our Black Sea fleet, and advanced along a wide front in the coastal region, capturing a fortified position in tho region 'of tho River Karaburnum. Our advance guards broke through westward of Kalkst and Chivtlik, inflicting great losses, and wo destroyed the" earthworks in the enemy's rear. We repelled a Turkish attack in the_ direction of Ognob. Deserters are arriving in large numbers, and they report that desertions in tho Turkish rear have considerably increased since tho commencement of the frosts.

The Greek Legation reports that the Turks are massacring Greeks in Asia Minor, and arc arresting Greek notables. A campaign has been inaugurated in the United States to raise £1,000,000 for suffering Armenians. In Mesopotamia British aeroplanes dropped bombs on tho camp at Kut-el-Amara. . A Turkish communique states: —Tho British, force camped near Nasearieh (on the Tigris, 100 miles above Basrah) attempted an advance, under cover of their artillery lire, against tho tribes northward of Nassarieh. They wero repulsed, and tho enemy suffered heavy losses. Official: A patrol of Australian Mounted Rifles on Wednesday captured some Turks and camels near Bir el Bayonk. Aeroplanes successfully dropped bombs on tho camps in tho neighbourhood of El Arish.