New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-06
Sultan'S Soldiers Beaten
Only After Most Des-
perate Resistance.
GRAND DUKE SENDS
WORD TO JOFFRE
French Commander Congratu-
lates Leader of Cars Troops
Losses in Caucasus Heavy.
lRy CahIe 20 The r-ihrr. Z


have won a great victory in the eau
casus region at Ssri Ksmysh, where
they captured the entire 9th Army
Corps of the Turkish army, including
the corps commander and the three
division commanders. This was Official
ly announced in a communication from
the headquarters of the army in the
Caucasus. given out tonight
Four German officers of high rank
whether any is among the four men
toned in the official statement is not
known-ane reported to be prisoners. A
dispatch TO the "Bourse Gazette" from
Tifis says the Russians have captured
Izzet Pacha, former Turkish War Min
lister.
The Turkish force in the fighting at
Sar Kamysh consisted Of two foil
corps. The 10th, which escaped capt
ure as a unit, has been broken up into
small detachments, which are being
pursued relentlessly. The Turks are
suffering great losses in their retreat
through the mountainous country OF
Trans Caueasia.
On the same days that the victory
Of Sari Kamysh was won, January 3
and 4, the Russians also defeated =
Turkish army corps at Ardahan.
Grand Dukes Statement.
The Importance attached by Russia
/ to the two victories in the Caucasus is
/ indicated By the fact that Grand Duke
Nicholas, ever chary about signing Of
fetal announcements. has sent to Cen
, eral Joffre his account OF the double
success. The Grand Duke, in his dis
patch, said:
az hasten to inform you of the joyful
news that the army Of the Caucasus
Notwithstanding that its forces have
been reduced 20 a minimum, with
view not to weaken the army in the
principal theatre of the war, has won
two decisive victories-on December I'll
and % january 3 and 4, modern caien-
dar) against Turkish forces superior
in number, at Ardahan against the
lst Corps, and at Sari Kamysh against
the 9th and 10th Turkish Corps. The
entire 9th Corps has capitulated. The
10th Corps is making every effort to
withdraw, but is being pursued by our
troops"
Joffre Sends Reply.
The following reply was received
from General Joffre:
81 pray your imperial highness to
accept my warm Fluctuations for the
great victory won by the army Of the
Caucasus. By their constant and un-
interrupted effort in all the theatres
of operations, the armies Of the Allies
are preparing the definite victories OF
the future"
The official report from the head
quarters of the army Of the Caucasus
refers only to the Sari Kamysh victory
and makes no reference TO the outcome
at Ardahan. II says;
T.ast night our troops won com
plete victory over the Turks at Ssri
Kamysh. We have beaten two Turkish
army corps and made the entire 9Th
Turkish Army Corps, including its com
rander and three division commanders.
prisoners.
"small bodies Of Turkish troops
which succeeded In escaping were Wig
orously pursued and destroyed.
ave continue pursuit OF the other
narts Of the Turkish forces, which are
in full retreat
Victory Already Prepared.
The war on the Turkish front took
a striking turn in favor Of Russia
few days ago. The danger point for
Russig was made good at the outset
and the Turks never succeeded accom-
plishing anything in that region OF
military value, Although they have
penetrated several miles into Russian
territory.
Fighting in the heavy SHOWS, at alti-
tudes Of eight and ten thousand feet,
in the depths of winter was terrible
undertaking, especially for the attack
ing side, and il is evident that the
Turkish forces during the last few
weeks have suffered great hardships In
their attempt to keep footing on Rus-
sian territory.
In the Sighting at Arabian brilliant
attack was made by the Russians st
dawn on Sunday Stubborn fighting
lasted the whole day before the Rus