New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-07
$4,000 TURKS WIPED
OUT in CAUCASUS
All That Remains of Two
Army Corps Is a Few
Hundred Prisoners.
rBy Gable to The Trbun,l

London, Jan. THE Petrograd cor
respondent Of "The Morning Post" de
scribing the Russian victories in the
Caucasus, reports that the Turkish
losses are even greater than they ap-
pesred to be from the Russian official
reports. His dispatch says:
"The Russians have destroyed some
thing like fifty thousand men trapped
in the terrible Businesses Of the Cau-
casus ranges, where under a German
commander, they had the temerity to
contest the sovereignty Of Russia on
Russian soil. Two Turkish army corps
have been slaughtered and all that re-
mains of them is few hundred fortu-
nate prisoners at Sari Kamysh. The
Turkish army, several marches inside
the Russian territory, had been en-
gagged for about a week in stubborn
conflict with the Russians, who barred
the approach to kars.
"No details of the fighting have yet
reached me beyond the suggestive &C
counts Of the terrible cold which has
recently set in on these mountain
heights. The Turks were ar attack
ing party, scores Of miles away from
their base, and reported very III pro-
yided 70 meet such terrible weather.
For the last three days and nights the
battle has been in progress wnich mas
now ended not merely in total de-
feat but the dnnihilatIon of the TURK
ish army.
"The best army corps of the Turkish
army. the 9th, normally stationed at
Frzerum. led the invasion, supported
bv another army corps drawn appar-
emily from Van. Neither now exists.
The entire command of the 9th Army
Corps was taken prisoners oy single
company of a Russian regiment Whlch
sufficiently indicates the conditon 10
which the corps was reduced. sur
rounded on all sides, crushed by the
overwhelming fire of mountain artil-
lery. maxims and rifles, the 9th army
Corps has been deliberately destroyed.
Its commander, Ished Pacha. the dl-
yisional commanders of the llth, 2oth
and 29tA divisions. and two other dlvl-
sional commanders, with one hundred
other officers, are prisoners. Artillery,
maxims, ammunition, stores and the
entire train of this corps have fallen
into Russian hands.
Turks Fly in Every Direction.
"Tbis striking victory comedies with
tho success achieved at Ardahan, re-
norted Yesterday. The Turkish forces
here have been thoroughly dispersed
and are flying in all directions, with
small chance Of ultimate escape. Inc
losses here are also enormous, ana
here again. as on the Bzura, the Slbe-
rian corps have greatly distinguished
themselves. One squadron charged the
Turkish infantry and cut two compa-
MICS TO pieces. while another squadron
cut their way through the oth Con-
stantinople Regiment and captured IT'S
standard. Except for scattered bands
of fugitives. Turkey no longer has any
armed men on Russian territory:
"As this incursion into RUSSIA was
directed by German commanders IN
deed. Sanders Pacha was reported to
have visited Erzerum in person TO ar
range the invasion-there is peculiar
satisfaction felt in Russia at the dis
astrous ending of yainglorlous un-
dertaking."
"The Daily News's" military expert
"The attempt to invade the Caucasus
in mid-winter under the circumstances
described was an act of stupendous
folly which has been deservedly pun
ished. The result stamps Genera
Liman Won Sanders with the label of
incompetence. No general who knew
his business would have committed his
army TO an operation which under the
most favorable conditions would been
difficult and hazardouS while, as 1t
Vas Vas, il could only end I'm disaster.
"Tbe strategical conditions were all
Continued on page 4. column :