The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1916. THE FALL OF ERZEROUM.

Southland Times, Issue 17661, 19 February 1916, Page 5

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1916. THE FALL OF ERZEROUM.

It is quite natural that there should lie rejoicing in all the Allies’ countries over the fall of Erzeroum, the great stronghold which defended the Caucasian frontier of Turkey in Asia. In possession of this point the Russians threaten the whole of Anatolia, as well as communications between Constantinople and Mesopotamia, it is true that much hard fighting and marching lies ahead of them if tiie capture of Erzeroum is to he regarded as the first step in operations directed against the enemy’s Asiatic campaign, but even if no further advance is made immediately, (he success is in itself

striking evidence of the recovery which (he Russian;; have made, of the thoroughness with v.’hich their military organisation has been overhauled, ami of their ability to undertake and maintain offensives on a largo scale. While this movement against Erzeroum was being made in very difficult conntry and under extremely unfavourable conditions, the Russians Avere also engaged in the Bukowina, Eastern Galicia and Volhynia. In both theatres their forces were admirably equipped Avith artillery and amply supplied Avith munitions. There is reason to believe, therefore, that the Russians haA’e recovered far more quickly than could have been anticipated from the heavy losses suffered between May and September last.

The success is also gratifying for the reason that it has In-on won by the Grand Duke Nicholas. The Grand Duke Avas relieved of Lite supreme command of the Russian armies in Europe in September last and assumed command in the Caucasus. Since then he lias doubtless boon Avorkiug for this attack, and the success Avhich has crowned his efforts will give pleasure to all the Allies. The retreat of the

Russian armies before the tremendous German attack which was launched by Von Mackensen on the Dunajec on the 3rd May hist year was conducted with consummate skill and the enemy failed in his main object, which was to destroy the Russian army. Nevertheless the Russian retirement was enormously costly. it was necessary because the Grand Duke had neither the men or the munitions to withstand the enemy’s attack, and the enemy’s superiority in this respect enabled Von Mackensen and Von Hindenburg to strike hard and often. May, June, July and August were bitter months for Russia and the Russian Commander-in-Chicf, and it is to be hoped that the fall of Erzeroum is only one of a series of compensating successes which will come to the Grand Duke Nicholas in Asia. From the effect of such successes as this, as we see it among ourselves, we are able to form some idea of the feeling among the German people at this time. The capture of Erzeroum at once cheers up the people to an extent quite disproportionate to its military significance, and Ave can understand, perhaps, from this experience Avhat sort of effect Avas produced in Germany by the rapid conquest of Belgium and the richest part of France, by the great march through Galicia and Poland in Avhich not one but a dozen Erzeroums fell before the German guns, of the speedy conquest of Serbia and of the Zeppelin raids upon England. We know, of course, that these successes bring Germany no nearer to final victory—they are but the superficial facts of the Avar. But we must recognise that every one of these successes has cheered up the German people, strentheued their confidence in the army and ite leaders, and convinced them that final and complete success will be Avon. To •shake the confidence of the Gorman people avc AA’ant a rapid succession of bIoAVS like the capture of Erzeroum. We trust that the Russians will soon be able to add Czernowitz, and that the Allies in the west Avill -succeed this spring in throwing the enemy out of the north of France and the greater part of Belgium. The capture of Erzeroum is an auspicious opening to the Allies’ 1916 campaign, and we are justified in expecting still greater successes to follow.