Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-01-13
ALLIES DRIVEN BACK
BY GERMAN ATTACKS
Berlin Declares Foe Definitely
Repulsed in Heavy Fighting
Near scissors.
VICTORY OVER TURKS
CLAIMED BY RUSSIANS
One Regiment Captured and
Another Partially Destroyed.
Says Petrograd Report.

"a JS 7 CAt w az fArpOt i
Turkish forces which invaded
northwestern Persia have occupied
Tabriz. an important Persian city
within the sphere Of Russian infn-
ence, where a Russian military sta
tion was maintained. The cspturs
Of Tabriz, from which the Russians
recently retreated, opens the way
for German-Turkish invasion
against Russias most vulnerabIs
point. the undefended Russian-Fer-
sian frontier north of that city.
The assaults of the Allies aga ns-
selected positions in the German
line, gaining ground for them at seT-
eral points during the last week.
have led 10 German counter attacks
in force and the heaviest infantry
fighting of some time. Today's otii-
cial communications from Berlin
and Paris Indicate that the Germans.
having brought large bodies of troops
into play, have checked the advance
of the Allies and have themselves
made important gains.
French Admit Repulse.
The heaviest fighting occurred
yesterday to the east OF Soissons
The Germans state that they def
nitely repulsed the Allies and gained
possession of two OF their positions
capturing 100 prisoners and several
guns. Attacks near the canal OF La
Bassee, if is said, we're defeated
while the Allies were compelled D.
German artillery fire to evacuate
trenches near the Belgian coast "a
the neighborhood of Nieuport.
The French statement admits thgi
the Allies were driven back neaT
SoiBsons, being compelled 70 yitie
ground TO the Germans.
IN the ArgoHne, where desperasa
lighting has been in progress fo-
some time, the opposing armies tenn
porarily have relaxed their efforts,
There, as elsewhere in the west. bad
weather hinders military activities.
Russians Claim Successes.
No change is recorded from either
Petrograd or Berlin in the campaign
in Poland.
Further important successes in the
campaign against Turkey were an
nounced today by Russia It Is as
serted that one Turkish regiment was
captured, another partially destroyed
and a Turkish position seized. with
guns and ammunition.
Notwithstanding these claims, Il is
evident that large bodies of Turkish
troops are still on Russian soil. and
the recent statement from Petrograd
that an overwhelming defeat has been
inflicted on the Turks, involving ths
capture OF one army corps and the
cutting up Of another, is denied of1t-
ciaily at Constantinople. The state
ment today of the Russian staff at
tached 70 the Caucasian army shows
that Turkish resistance has not been
broken, stating that obstinate and
bitter fighting is still in progress.
In Southern Poland the Russians
have made another attempt to pusa
across the Nida river, apparently u
an effort to advance once more %
Cracow. An official Austrian state
ment says the Russians were conf
PEELED TO withdraw under the fire Of
the Austrian artillery.
by the Associated Press.
LONDON, Jan. Is, 1915 .. m.-Reu-
ter's Telegram Company has received
q dispatch from It's correspondent
from Petrograd saying that an ad-
vance detachment of the Turkish
army has occupied the Persian city
OF Tabriz.
The taking Of Tabriz means thar
the Turks, who undoubtedly had the
backing Of some of the wild Turkish
tribesmen of this locality, have sc
cured a more or less important base
for the projected German Turkish at
tack upon the Russian positions in
the province of Erivan, north OF the
Persian border and south Of Tifiis.
The occupation of Tabriz. which IS
the capital Of the province of Aver
baitan, was rendered comparatively
easy for the Turks by the recent
withdrawal of Russian forces to meet
the Ottoman advance further west.
Whether Tabriz was taken without
bloodshed is not yet known, but II
the absence Of Russian troops, it il
not likely that Persia was able to
offer any serious resistance.
Aim at vulnerable Point.
Russias most vulnerable point, at
which the Turks are aiming, Hes
among the un5efended Russo Persian
frontier TO the north of Tabriz.
There never has been any necessity
for preparing this portion OF the Rus
| sian boundary against possible Per-
/ sian attack. The opinion is held hera
/ that Great Britain and Russia may
/ offer assistance to Persia in the de-
fense of her neutrality as result OF
/ Turkeys dramatic advance. When
/ the Ottoman activities in Persian ter
ritory first developed. Persia not only
announced her neutrality. but asked
the good offices OF Great Britain 70
prevent violation Of her neutrality.
Little could be done at the time. as
the territory invaded lay within the
sphere Of Russian influence.
Even though Turkey should fall 70
push further northward she will have
gained a basis for negotiations If she
is able to retain Tabriz, and also viii
have obtained a foothoid on the ter
ritory on the eastern bank OF Lake
Urumiah, which she has long GOV
eted.
Flee Before Turks.
Turkish sncroachment on the prov,
ince of Azerbaijan began IN 1905
when Russia weakened in the war
with Japan, and II has always been
asserted that Ottoman pressure on
this portion of Persia was backed by
Germany, whose economic ii1tereste,