Evening star., 1914-11-13
Petrograd Makes This Claim,
But ConstantinopIe Also
Reports Successes.
TORPEDO BOAT BATTLE
is SAID TO BE RAGING
Moslem Forces, Reported to Have
Occupied Ell Arish and Sheikzar
in Egypt.

LONDON, November 13-Both Russia
and Turkey continue to claim success
for their armies operating in the south
eastern theater of war. Petrograd says
attacks of the Moslems have been re-
pelled with great losses. while Con-
stantinople declares the Russians are
fighting on their second line of defense.
A naval battle between Russian and
Turkish torpedo boats Is said to be In
nroeress in the vicinity of G3edser
lighthouse on the southern eho oi eie
Island of Laaland in the Baltic.
Russian Statement.
The following communication from
the general staff of the Russian army
In the Caucasus, dated Tif1is, has just
been made public:
1.-The attacks Of the Turks on our
positions at Koprukeui, November
II, were repulsed with great losses
to the Turks. Turkish column
which attempted to turn to The our cross. ,ss.
fire of our artillery and was impet-
uously attacked by our infantry.
The Turks fed into the mountains
in complete disorder. pursued oy
our cavalry.
titled positions of Devebommu, the
Turks continue to concentrate troops
at Erzerum They apparently are
receiving. reinforcements by way Oh
Trebizond."
"November the Turks were at
tackled and defeated in khanes-
sour pass, on the road from Aver
baijan to Van. They retreated rap
idly in disorder, leaving behind them
their dead and wounded.
Turks Claim Success.
An official dispatch from Berlin says:
"Constantinople headquarters re-
ports that the Caucasian army Is
attacking the second line of the
Russian positions. According to re-
ports of prisoners the morale OF the
Russians is very bad.
Turkish troops which have cross
ed the Egyptian frontier have oc-
cupied Ell Arish and Sheikzar.
''The Arabians of Nejd and Mecca
are mobilizing against the English.
The Persian. Afghan. Egyptian
Indian and Mohammedan elements
in Constantinople have declared the
community of their interests. The
Sunnites and the Shiites (two op-
posing religious sects) are now for
the first time ready for joint ac-
tion."
AQVlceS from SOuSldiAlnOpAc Sdy ShoS
The Ottoman army still lacks 700 Off
,ers, and that the authorities at Ber-
lin were requested to supply them.
Berlin replied that 1t would be impos-
sible to send all Germans, but would
them with Austrtans, who
would travel to Constantinople in
as civilians.
Sinking of Transport.
A graphic account has been received
here of the end of the Russian transport
Truth, which the Russians sank sooner
than surrender her to the Turkish cruiser
Goeben. When called upon to surrender
her captain headed the Truth for the
shore, opened the valves and blew
hole in the bottom Of the vessel. Lieut..
Ragowsky perished while attempting to
fire a second charge of explosives. Part
Of the crew got of in boats. while the
others jumped into the water and were
picked up by the Turkish ships.
The ships chaplain and q handful OF
men were left aboard. As the ship went
down the chaplain was seen on deck, CIV
ing his blessing to the men who remained
about him. cheering and singing the ma
tional anthem"