New-York tribune., 1916-02-18
ErZerunn.

ETZSIull,
Erzerum is the most important success
for Russia-and for the Allies-since
Przemysl. Przemysl yielded larger num-
Der of prisoners-12O,OO O,OOO-odd, as compared
with 100000. But in all other respects the
capture of Erzerum stands out rs a more
fruitful and brilliant military achievement
Przemysl was starved out. 1t rad been
isolated for several months. Its tail did
not materially affect the strategical stu
alton on the Russian west front. 1t hber-
ated 100000 or more second line troops foi
use elsewhere in Russia's battle line
But it did not make it any easier for the
Grand Duke Nicholas to push his armies
across the Carpathian barrier into Hun
gary. Nor did it forestall the German-Aus-
ltro-Hungarian offensive which twf months
later swept back the Russians far beyond
the San. cleared Poland and forced par
tial evacuation of the Baltic Provinces
From the military as we'll as the political
point of view the fall of Przemysl had
only a limited local effect. But the fall OF
Erzerum opens up wide strategic and po-
litical vistas. The Armenian capital was
the key to the Turkish defence on the
Caucasus front. Kars used to be that key,
but Kars was taken by the Russians in the
war of 1S77-'7S and became Russian under
the terms of the Treaty of Berlin. Ere
rum was thereafter converted into Iur-
KEYS main military base on the north
eastern frontier. Its loss will therefore
compel a considerable retirement on this
front. To the north TrebiZon6, on tn"
Black Sea, becomes difficult to hold, the
more so as the Black Sea is under Russian
control; while to the south, in the Lake
Van region, the Turkish position is out
fanked, and Turkish access TO Persia from
that direction may be speedily shut off.
\ retirement west from Lake Van would
result in the collapse of the guerilla cam
paign in Persia, fomented by Turkish
and German agents, and bring that coun-
try safely under Russian and British in
iuence.
The reverse at Erzerum will also weaken
Turkey on the lrak, or Mesopotamian,
front, where Turkish prospects have re-
Gently been brightest. If new efforts arc to
be made in Armenia, no reinforcements car
well be spared for the Mesopotamian army
now holding one British force besieged in
/ Kut-el-Amara and another relieving force
almost stationary further down the Tigris
River. Bagdad may even have to be evac-
uated if British pressure up the Tigris
is renewed with fresh troops.
The Turks have fought very success
fully against the British, both in Mesopo-
tamia and on the Gallipoli Peninsula. In
those two arenas they have regained some
of the prestige which they lost in the
disastrous Balkan wars. But against Rus
sa in the Caucasus they have failed to re-
deem themselves. Their many defeats in
this region, eliminating in the loss of their
most important fortress base, indicate that
the Turkish army reorganization is still
inadequate in spots and is in danger of
succumbing TO the continued strain of war
All these considerations make intelli-
gible the rejoicing in all the Allied capitals
over the fall of Erzerum. 1t is the first
decisive Allied victory for many weary
months. II is a victory for humanity TOO,
as well as for the Allied cause. There is
no blacker chapter in all the history OF
Turkeys ruthless treatment of subject
races than the chapter of Armenia's mar