Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-06
"SCOURGE OF THE SKIES" REAPS HUGE TOLL
OF LIVES AND PROPERTY in WARNING NATIONS,
ZEPPELIN RAIDS ON ENGLAND BEING WORST
Allied and Teutonic Forces
Prepared for Titanic Strug-
gle in the West.
KAISER'S MEN HOLDING
RECENTLY GAINED POINTS
Russian Advances in Caucasus
Threaten Berlin's Ambitions-Sa-
loniki Clash Believed Near.

loniki Clash Believed Near.
which will play a decisive part IN the
final outcome of the war. Retreat py
either. 1t is declared, will have a de-
cided effect on the morale Of the strug-
Cling troops. Once spurred with the
scent of victory there will be no stop
ping. Paris and London reiterate that
their troops are fit and ready for any
contingency. The Germans are strength
ening their forces and positions to the
greatest degree possible. The present
method of warfare cannot last mucn
longer, according to the views or Tor
eign military experts, who anticipate q
battle of tremendous and far-reachtng
character.
Russian successes in the Caucasus re-
gions have caused the near east cam
paign to take on a new phase. Pos
sibly the worst blow that has yet been
struck is the reported forced evacua-
ton of the famous stronghold OF Ere,
rum by. the Turks. Eighty thousana
and facing famine because of the over
taxed facilities of the fortress. are de-
c1ared to have left this place to the
who is declared to have headed the
Turkish campaign in the Caucasus, Is
said to have been with this force.
large force of Turkish soldiers sent
from Trebizond to .,a the puss 5slef dur OF
ing the week and after a battle last
ing two days, finally was forced TO re-
treat. More than 5000 wounded turks
are said to have arrived at the re!leI
expeditions starting point after the
victory of the Russians.
While the Russians are making prog
ress to the north the British exped1-
ton under Gen. Aylmer. sent to the
relief of Kutel-Amara, has been prac-
tically inactive, owing to unfavorable
weather conditions. The Turks insist
that the British position at Kut Is de-
cidedly critical, and 1t will be only
matter of short time until the forces
are forced to capitulate. Continued sue
cess of the Russians in the Caucasus,
however, may force a complete change
of complexion in the near east regions
in the space of the next few weeks,
and it lies within the power of Grand
pletely Illustrate German aspirations
in this direction.
From a Teutonic standpoint probably
the most disconcerting bit of news was
the unoffi-
humAul6 10 JUN
Allies, It Is Reported. that Ruma-
mia was to participate in the present
war on the side Of the allies. and that
her operations probably would be
started some time in March. Heavy
grain purchases in Rumania by Eng
land are given as the reasons for the
revival of pro-ally sentiment In Ru-
mania. but this is not thoroughly un-
derstood. particularly in view Of the
heavy Teutonic purchases in the past
few days. they having taken all of
Rumania's export supply. However,
Vienna and Berlin have been apprised
Of Rumanian troop movements and
fastened plans to place the entire Ru-
manian military force on firmer war
footing.
Rumanian participation in the war on
the side of the allies within the next
two months would be of particular
value, as 1t is announced the Germans
and Bulgarians, with the assistance of
100000 Turks, soon are to begin their
long-expected attack on Saloniki. Field
Marshal Won MackenSen, who directed
the German expedition against Serbia,
mas returned 10 the SdlOnlKl front, ne
being stationed at Monastir. The OPP
erations at Saloniki are expected to be
in his hands, almost entirely. Germans
have made adequate preparations for
any contingency in the Saloniki strug-
gle, and inasmuch as it has been stated
in Teutonic capitals that the battle
would start Immediately after all prep
arations were made, it is possible
that much credence may be placed in
the Athens advices announcing Ger
manic-Tureo- Bulgar plans.
Italy has decided to defend Albania
to the last and will not withdraw all
her forces from this region. it is re-
ported. An adequate defense is con-
sidered political and military neces-
sity and consequently another division
of infantry and large artillery batter
les have been landed at Avlona in prep
aration for the campaign which is in
evitable, the Austrians pressing their
advance over Montenegro and Albania
in all directions. The Bulgarians,
pushing into Albania from the south
ern points, also increase the menace
to italian interests. 1t is possible that
King Victors forces may receive tell
ing support from the once-stricken
Serbians, for it is said these men, now
to a great degree re-equipped, have
Joined hands with the remnants of the
Montenegrin army.
Although Russia has reported many