New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-14
TURKISH FORCES
OCCUPY TABRIZ
Secure Important Base for
Attacks on Russian
Positions.
BRITAIN AND RUSSIA
MAY ASSIST PERSIA
Porte Obtains Long Coveted
FoothoId on Eastern Shore
OF Lake Urumlah.

London. Jan. ia Reuter- dispatch
from Pstrogrsd says that an advance
detachment of the Turkish army has
occupied the Persian city of Tsbrir-
The taking Of TabriI means that the
Turks. who undoubtedly had the back
ing of some Of the wild Turkish tribes
men OF this locality. have secured a
more or less important base for the
projected German Turkish attack upon
the Russian positions in the provinces
Of Erivan. north Of the Persian border
and south of TiHis.
The occupation Of TsbriL. which Is
the capital Of the province Of Azerosi-
Jan, was rendered comparatively easy
for the Turks by the recent withdrawal
Of Russian forces 20 meet the Ottoman
advance further west. Whether labriz
was taken without bloodshed is not yet
known, but in the absence OF Russian
troops IL is not likely that Persia was
able to offer any serious resistance.
Russo-PersIan Frontier Unfortifed.
Russia's most vulnerable point, at
which the Turks are aiming. lies along
the uudefeuded Russo-Persian frontier
to the north OF Tabriz. There never
has been any necessity for preparing
.
against possible Persian attack. The
opinion is held here that Great Britsi IN
and Russia may offer assistance TO
Persia I'm the defence OF her neutrality
as 2 result of Turkeys dramatic sd-
vance. When the Ottoman activities IN
Persian territory first developed Per
STA not only announced her neutrality
hut asked the good Offices of Great
Britain 10 prevent violation OF her neu-
tralitv. Little could be done at the
time. as the territory invaded lay
within the sphere Of Russian influence.
Even though Turkey should fail to
push further northward she viii have
gained a basis for negotiations II she
is able TO retain Tabriz, and will also
have obtained a foothold on the ter
ritorv on the eastern bank OF Lake
Uvumiah. which she has long coveted
Turkish cncroachment on the Prov
ince Of Azerbaijan began IN 1909, when
Russia weakened i'm the war with
Japan. and IL has always been asserted
that Ottoman pressure on TINS portion
of Persia was backed by Germany,
whose economic interests. NJ was con.
tended. demanded free navigation OF
Lake Urumish.
A telegram from Petrograd to-day
saws that 1000 Persisns Of the Prov
ince OF Azerbaijan are fleeing on foot
toward the Caucasian frontier before
the Turkish advance. Many OF these
fugitives. il is said, are dying OF
hunger and cold.
Washington. Jan. l3.--An intimation
Of the turkish advance on Iabrlz
reached the State Department, II be
came known to-day, when the Italian
Embassy here asked that the American
+ Consul al Tabriz be instructed to care
for Italian interests. The reason given
was that the French Consul, who had
been caring for Italy's affairs IN that
part Of Persia, had left Tabriz.
Tzbriz is in Northwestern Persia
and. after Teheran, the largestsity IN
the country IL is 100 miles 70 the
east Of the Turkish frontier. IaDriZ
was psrrisoned by Russian force, II
being situated in that part OF Persia
under the domination OF the Russians,
in the same manner as the southern
nortion of Persia is considered TO be
within the sphere Of influence of Great
Britain. ~
The town had been evacuated by thus
Russian force. according to a report
sent out By the Turkish goyernment
and published last night IN Berlin. The
announcement from Constantlnople
added that the Russian garrison mad
retreated to Djulfa, where the Rus
slams were said TO be assembling IN
strong force TO defend the passage OF
the AraXes River.