Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-17
FORTRESS DEEMED VITAL .
AS A STRATEGIC CENTER
Seizure May Relieve Pressure on the
British in Mesopotamia and
influence Persia.
LIBERATION FOR ARMENIANs
Moslem Forces Throughout Region
Are Deemed in Jeopardy-Petro-
grad Elated by Great
Success.

LONDON, February 1.-THE
capture of Erzerum by the Rus
slams is regarded here as a feat OF
first importance, the, fortress be-
ing in any campaign by Russia
against Turkey dominating
factor in military calculations, as
it is the key to Armenia. both
politically and from military
stand point. Its retention by Rus
sia is considered as meaning the
liberation of the long suffering
Armenian race. The position is
regarded such vital strategic
center that its capture, it is be-
lieved here, will relieve the pres
sure upon the British positions in
Mesopotamia and have a pro-
found effect on the hostile ele-
ments in Persia and besides put
in jeopardy the Turkish forces
throughout Armenia.
! The fall of Erzerum is calcu-
lated to facilitate the capture of
Trebizond, one weeks march
northWard. and thus secure the
Turkish gateway from Asia into
Europe.
Ofacial Announcement.
Official announcement of the fall of
the city was made by Grand Duke
Nicholas, who telegraphed the empe-
ror as follows:
God has granted the brave troops
of the army of the Caucasus such great
help that Erzerum has been taken.
after five days of unprecedented as
sault I am inexpressibly happy to an
nounce this victory to your imperial
majesty"
The Russian official Messenger esti-
mates the Turkish garrison at ErZe-
Yesterday, as 100000 men. 1t is also
estimated that more than 1000 guns
were captured. According to report.
there were 467 guns in the outer forts,
374 in the central forts and 200 field
guns at Erzerum.
City Was in Flames.
The last Russian official communica-
ton gives few details of the fighting
around the fortress. In fact. it seems to
have been dispatched before the actual
capture was announced by Grand Duke
Nicholas A part of the city was in
flames.
Gen. Judenich, the hero of this VIC
tory made a ma sterly advance under
adverse weather conditions since the
Russians a month ago broke through
the Turkish line on the Caucasus bor-
der, pushing eighty miles through the
country that previously had been con-
sidered impossible in winter CAM
paign.. -
Petrosrad the Turkish army is in
flight westward in the difficult noun
tainous region. The Armenian popula-
tion warmly welcomed the RUSSIAN
troops.
It is stated that the Russians had to
overcome the greatest of difficulties in
getting their heavy guns into position
for the final assault.
Petrograd Is Elated.
PETROGRAD, February Il, via Lon
don.-The fall of Erzerum. which had
been confidently awaited since the
news of the taking by the Russian
forces of nine of the eighteen forts
guarding the gateway to Asia Minor. is
the cause of great elation in Petrograd.
Controlling the roads through Ar
menia, with access TO Ireblzond Ia
briz and Mesopotamia. the capture o.
Erzerum is calculated to have immense
strategic Importance in the Russian
campaign in the Caucasus. And 1t Will
indirectly affect the Balkan campaign
by relieving the pressure on the allies
at Saloniki.
The conviction entertained by all
Russian military observers that Erze-
rum would ultimately be forced to
capitulate was based on the fact that
the remaining nine forts were OF con-
siderably less Importance than those
already in Russian hands and could be
readily fanked or even ignored IN
the evacuation OF the Turkish
stronghold.
Plan of Defense Destroyed.
The taking of the first fort is be-
loved to have destroyed the plan of
defense. since the impregnability OF
Erzerum rested on the assumption of
the German engineers who constructed
The fortiflcations that the position was
safe against assault from the south.
In spite Of the intense cold and deep
snow, the Russian troops took kop
mountain by storm and dealt the Turks
the frst staggering blow. Having
driven them from this position. the
artillery broke through and
banked the other positions. which went
ike a house of cards the result OF the
II.
Plentiful Supply ef Munitions.
The Caucasian campAign derived
Ereat bsnsat from the Russian doisina-