The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-02-25
RUSS CAPTURE MUSH
SIAVS CONTINUE TO ADVANCE IN
THE CAUCASUS-OCCUPY
AklEM.
MORE TURKS ARE TAKEN
Remainder of Thirty-fourth Division
Seized Northwest of Erzerum-FaIl
of Trebizond Believed Near-Troops
Land on Armenian Seacoast

Petrograd, Feb. 21-The victorious
Russian army in the Caucasus con-
tinues its sweep westward. and &C
cording TO an official war report the
grand dukes forces have captured
Mush, eighty-three miles southeast OF
Erzerum. Other Russian forces, it is
announced, have occupied the village
OF Aklem.
The report says the remainder of
the Thirty-fourth Turkish division has
been captured northwest of Erzerum.
1t also is reported that Russian
transports under cover Of warships'
guns are landing large forces of men
on the Armenian SEE coast seventy
miles east of Trebizond, encountering
only feeble resistance.
1t is believed here that the fall OF
the Armenian port is only a question
of days
Plan to Join Armies.
1t is the understanding here that the
troops being landed on the seacoast
will march westward, joining the
troops now advancing from Erzerum.
The troops on the Armenian coast
are being transported from Batum,
where they have been held in readi-
ness for several NOR tbs.
News from the front indicates that
the Russians are now driving west
ward on a front of more than 100
miles, extending from point north Of
ErZerum to south OF Mush. The whole
of Armenia is expected to be within
the hands Of the cars forces before
spring
Fate Of Commander in Doubt.
1t is thought possible the Turks will
attempt to make a stand at the first
favorable point. which is in the hills
on the western edge of Erzerum val
ley, eleven miles distant, but it is not
regarded as probable they have been
able to erect any extensive fortifica-
tions there.
No news has been received OF the
fate of Ekved Pevzi Pasha, command
er of tho Ninth corps, who was in
charge of the defense of Erzerum.
(The reference in the foregoing to
Ekved Pevzi Pasha as the commander
in charge of Erzerum before its sur
render apparently disposes of unoffi-
cial reports of several weeks ago that
| the Turkish army there was in charge
of the German field marshal, Won der
Goltz or his compatriot, Field Marshal
Liman Won Sanders.)
Story of Russ Victory.
Petrograd, Feb. 21.-The first story
by the Russians has reached Petro-
grad semiofficially 1t shows complete
cooperation of Russian troops over a
wide area, which made useless resist
ance on the part or the Turks. APP
parently the Turks realized the fall of
Erzerum was inevitable and withdrew
most of their forces before the final
onslaught, leaving the garrisons of the
widely separated forts to their fate.
Troops Move on Forts.
The campaign began to reach it's eli
max in the last days of January. The
troops of General p. from the
North, and those of General K
from the East moved against the first
line forts under the most severe
weather conditions The Russians
dragged their artillery to the heights
surrounding the fortress, and when all
was ready began to lombard Forts
Kara Gudek. 90 miles. and Fort Dalan
Gez. 10 miles northeast of Erzerum,
preparatory 10 the bayonet assault.
On January % both forts capitulat-
ed The taking of Dalan Gez made a
breach in the outer line defenses along
the Beve Boinu range in front of the
city. The capture of Kara Gudek
opened direct passage through the
Karabagas pass TO the city proper
from the northeast