Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-26
Attempt to Encircle Russian
Left Flank in Caucasus
Proves Futile.
MOVEMENT NEARLY
SUCCEEDED, HOWEVER
Aimed to Regain Erzerum and Thus
Nullify Grand Dukes Arme-
nian Successes.

PETROGRAD, August 26.-The Turk
ish attempt to encircle the left flank OF
the Russian Caucasian army appears to
have received a crushing blow from the
troops of Grand Duke Nicholas in the
region of Lake Van. The Turkish en-
circling scheme aimed at regaining Err
zerum and thus nullifying all the grand
duke's victories in Turkish Armenia ap-
peared about to succeed. but the Russian
reoccupation of Mush and Bitlis and re-
establishment of Russian positions west
of Lake Van apparently has made hope
less the Turkish efforts.
The initiative now appears again to be
with the Russians at all important points
in Asia Minor. and now that the Turkish
offensive on the left flank has been stop
ped Grand Duke Nicholas can continue
his march toward Asia Minor.
Turks in Majority.
The task of turning the Russian left
flank in southern Armenia and western
Persia was intrusted to the Mush group
of the Turkish forces. which, reinforced
by troops from every part Of Euro
pean and Asiatic Turkey until they far
outnumbered the Russian army opposing
them. began the northeastern drive in the
direction of Erzerum. Although constantly
halted by the Russian fire and forced to
send In continuous stream OF reserves
to repair ravages to their lines caused by
Russian counter attacks, the Turks ap-
peared, early in August, after the occu-
patton of Mush and Bitlis and the sue
cessful expedition into Persian territory
as far as Hamadan, to be in fair way
toward accomplishing the task they had
undertaken.
Turning Point in Campaign.
The turning point came soon after
the Turkish occupation of Mush. when
the Russian line in that neighborhood
stinened suddenly. The battle begun
then continued uninterruptedly until
yesterday, when the Turkish forces,
despite their reported superiority in
assault, conducted from the region Of
Melasguerd and Gniskala, and left
Mush again in Russian hands.
The defeat of this group of the Turk
ish forces is considered by military
critics here to be of great Importance
Mush and use IT as a base of opera
tions against the Russian left wing
the success of their entire campaign In
this region was predicated.
The expedition which the Turks
sent out from Rivandouza toward
Persia in an apparent attempt to dis
tract the attention of the Russians
from the main theater OF operation
likewise came to grief near Rachta.
where two regiments were captured
by the Russians, according to war
office statements.
Russ Official Report.
The official statement of today regard
Inc the operations of the Russian eau
.'nsus army says:
~ the lines extending from the town
- ,Sygi 20 Lake Van stubborn fighting
rtinues our troops. after having oc-
1pied the town of Mush. advanced to
the ridge Of Hurst Dagu, where we
captured number of prisoners.
In the direction Of Mosul we continue
10 pursue the remnant Of the fourth
Turkish division"
Turks Claim Success.
CoNSTANTINOPLE. August 26.
Hard fighting on the Caucasus 'front.'
in which during one engagement the
Russians were forced to retreat, is also
reported in the official statement which
reads:
Caucasus front: We repulsed alta ok s
against our advanced positions on the
right wing. AT one point the enemy,
despite a three-fo!d superiority, was
forced to retreat before the resistance
of our troops We captured prisoners.
There have been insignificant artillery
| fights in the center During a surprise
attack on hostile advanced trenches on
our left wing we killed twenty of the
enemy, including one officer, and cap
tured equipment.
"A hostile monitor unsuccessfully
BON barded the coast near Fotcha.