, 1916-02-19

in years. Another steamer, the "Pollazin"
was damaged and about rs scows aud
lighters were partly or wholly burned and
upwards of forty of the Coolies from the
Bolton Castle and Pacifc were missing after
the fire. The 10 s is estimated at cnneidera-
bly, more than 100000 The origin If the
fire is unknown but suspicious that it was
incendiary were aroused because of the fact
that some of the steamers were loading with
wal munitions, some of which was intcni |
for shipment to the Russian Government aud
to be delivered at Vladivostok.
Rome, (via Paris), Febv. Is h-The corre-
spondeht of The 'ldea Nazipuale' te egraphs
that the Montenegrins in the Kasovpvlci
Plavo and Gasinge districts, goaded by the
ill-usage of the Aust rians, have revoIted with
such success that the Austrian authorities
have been obliged to send to Scutari for re-
Inducements. The Montenegrins, backed 10y
arms and ammunition which they had hidden.
continue to resist. The population every
where is dying of hunger although money Is
abundant. Austria is seeking to control tho
movement by hanging all the leaders and the
situation appeared serious enough to sum
mon more troops from Malta.
Washingtou, February 15th-The ULited
States, it was said by high authorities at the
State Department to-day. comedies that the
Entente Allies are within their rights under
prevailing international Law in arming mtr-
chant ships for defensive purposes, no matter
what conditions exist on the seas. Conse-
queutly it is admitted that should the
Allies decline to adopt the American susges-
ton to disarm merchantmen, founded pri-
marily upon a desire to save the lives of
innocent non. combatantS, this Government
cannot announce its approval OF the inten-
tions of the Teutonic Powers to torpedo
without warning after February 29th all
armed vessels. 1t is said that the United
States in the near future may make some
enquiries as to how the Central Powers in
tend TO determine whether merchantmen
encountered by their submarines are armed.
SPECIAL.
London, Feb. 17rh-Erzerum, Turkeys
chief city in Armenia, is in the hands of the
Russians.
Petrograd, Feb 15th.-O6icial announce
ment is made that the Russians have cap
tured Erzerum. Grand Duke Nicholas has
telegraphed the Emperor as follows: Good
has granted the brave troops of the army of
the Caucasus snch great help that Erzerun
has been taken after 5 days unpI ecedeuted
assault. | am expressively hnppy to an
nounce this victory to Your Imperial Ma
jesty."
London, Feby. 17th-Not since the Bril-
fish victory at LOos in the great September
offensive have sceLes been enacted in Lon
don such as were seen to-day when the news
was heralded Of the capture of Erzerum.
Throngs crowded the streets, and the spaces
in front of the bulletin boards were packed
with cheering onlookers. 1.-The tide has
turned, the victory will come now" OK
pressed the general feeling of the capital
tonight rejecting the optimi sm displayed
yesterday by Lord Kitchener. Masopota-
mia and Persia are now no longer regarded
with gloomy forebodings but with auticipa-
ton of ~triumphs. The War Office shares
the optimism of the populace.. Pressure on
the British Mesopotamia force will now be
relieved, it is thought, and even a junction Of
Russians and British is not now regarded
as remote. Grand Duke Nicholas, whose
operations for several weeks have gradually
been instilling hope into the Allies cause
is now a hero, aud it is to him that the
British largely look for moves which will
eventuate in the freeing of General Towns
hend's beleagured garrison ana the ad-
vance of General Aylmer's relieving force.
st. Thomas, Feby. 17th.-ex. President