New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-19
u.;burt Occupied and
landing Made on Black
Sea Coast.
rpZERUM ASSAULT
GREATEST IN WAR
y,.c George Congratulates the
Black Sea Coast Is
Now Threatened.


IL in their possession, the Russians
- .r-.pit OF tho Turks have occupied
- about seventy miles 70 the
'..,ves, Of the Caucasian stronghold
9.,rogrsd announced tonight.
=. s6si,ion. with the aid Of the Rus
-. Plsck Sea fleet, fortified po-
80, on the Vitzesu River has been
..n,,ed The Russians are thus ad-
.,;,g on Trebizond, an important
~~-tisb seaport on the Black Sea- from
= affections. It's fall IS expected
,i.hin S fortnight
A .emi-Ofieial statement issued al
g,.rograd tonight says:
arbs exac, number OF Turkish troops
,,,,ured q, Erzerum is not known, but
=. greater part OF the garrison got
,,sv. as the fortress was not invested
S., was carried by assault. The num-
s,, Of guns captured reaches 1000.
The city's defensive works were or
,,,i,sd By the German commander
p.,..l, and are spoken Of as admi-
,,sl, snd as embodying all the re-
,,.,.,s Of modern artillery and enGi-
r,sring.
IN, latest sdvices indicate that the
heavy Turkish achievements which
,,s been fastening TO the aid Of Ere
IN failed to arrive in time
Charge Up Mountainside.
The fsll Of Erzerum. the most i'm
.,,.apt Turkish stronghold in Asia
yno, and for long time considered
,nvregnsble, offers the unprecedented
,,s,,acle OF first class fortress built
4, steep mountain ridge nearly
nile above sea level yielding to bsyo-
-. attack after only thirty-six hours
H. operat;ons we're conducted IN
"a, ,bo most severe weather conditions.
,5s snow being deep and the thermome-
90 registering at times more than ~
ssgrees below zero. Fahrenheit
Inc Turkish army defending trze-
IN taken bv surprise under the meth
N, adopted By the Russians, Is now
,.is N be I'm dis8yderly flight on the
,s,ss leading 10 Sivas. As the garri-
,,- Apparently scattered in all direc-
ssss /, is assumed here that large
,5-bers OF men were taken prisoner,
,tloneh Official figures are still lack
~ N-:.,.,o g.. an
,,,ree that the Russian attack would
y directed upon the Turkish rignt
INK. and by rapidly transferring
-s,s the Turks made al plans 10 re-
sr the main assault from tins quar-
"a. Apparently they had little fear o:
no gccess Of this attack because OF
he strong character of the fortihca-
to,s in that direction, and even less
s,,rshension Of danger from a frontal
stack
Turks Deceived by Grand Duke.
Nevertheless, after the Russians sue
tssded in taking By storm the first 'ne
i9r,s on February there began per
s.s;ent bombardment of the Turkish
centre, followed by a bayonet charge
he impetuosity Of which swept the de-
finders off their feet.
The highest tribute is paid 20 the
bravery OF the Caucasian troops, whose
,asrge j. considered likely 20 20 down
3, history as one of the most brilliant
iss;s Of the war. Il is recognized here
hat The success Of the assault was due
i.nost entirely 20 the bayonet work @;
these troops. since the artillery prcpa-
ration was insufficient IN intensity and
GRAFTON. according 20 military experts,
% reduce even d strong field position.
Few forecasts are made as TO me
future Of the Russian operations be-
yond Erzerum, but pursuit OF the
Turks, who are retreating IN bad order,
according 20 the reports, is assumed 70
. vigorously under way and Slvas IS
regarded as the next probable objective
O the Russian armies.
The capture Of Erzerum has had the
eject Of making more secure the Rus
san positions along the Black sea
coast and those OF the southern flank
q Alashgerd. while the possibility Of d
,lccessful Russian thrust toward the
oIiSh cXpeditionary force in Meso-
lo,smia seems % be increasing
The capture Of Erzerum has aroused
re greatest enthusiasm throughout
RUSSIA. Towns large and small are the
Genes Of demonstrations, parades and
le Deum" celebrations. The most i'm
lo.ng demonstration took place al
Ills, where the Grand Duke Nicholas
. person announced the news of the
All Of Erzerum. The whole town was
Aushly decorated and the grand duke
gPeaIed several times in response 70
-t aeelamations II the crowds"
Vn the receipt Of the news Of the
1Ap'lre OF Erzerum by the Russians
Ans George dispatched the following
's.ege % Emperor Nicholas:
~ heartest congratulations upon
le splendid achievement Of your gal
sii troops in capturing Erzerum after
,-eh hard fighting. which ! trust will
ave farreaching effects"