Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-02-17
Turkeys Chief City in Ar
menia Occupied by the
Cars Troops.
POURED SHELLS ON
CITY FOR 5 DAYS
Capture Opens Way for
Russians to Aid Allied
Armies.

Il RZERtM. Turkeys chief city in
~ Armenia, is in the hands of the
Russians. Heavy assaults by the Rus
slams against the long line of detached
forts protecting the city, lasting over
a period of five days and described
by Grand Duke Nicholas. the Russian
COMMUNICATIVE chief, as "unpreced-
ented." have resulted in the capture Of
the fortress.
Unofficial reports early in the pres
cnt month said the German field
marshal. Won Der Goltz, with eighty
thousand men were besicged In the
city with provisions for only a fort
night.
The capture of ErZerum Is consid-
cred of great strategic Importance.
From it radiate roads leading in all
directions. over those to the south
east and south it will he possible for
the Russians to fight their way to-
ward their compatriots operating
against the Persians and Turks in
northwest and west Persia or proceed
south toward Ragdad to the relief of
the British bottled mp at Kut-El-
Amara on the Tigris southeast of
Bagdad
Rig Task Before Them
The immediate effect of the Rus
sian victory on the situation in Per-
STA and Mesopotamia is problematical,
however. for despite the roads the
country is mountainous and there
still is much ground to be covered
something over two hundred miles
before the Lake Urumiah district of
Persia is reached and over six hum
dred miles before a junction with the
British at kut- Ell Amara could be
formed
With the advent of stormy weather
ot the western battle line the heavy
fighting of the past few days seem
iEgly has simmered down again 10
artillery bombardments and mining
operations. Berlin reports. however,
that the British and French have en-
deavored to recapture trench positions
taken from them by the Germans re-
spectively southeast OF Ypres and in
contrary that near Tahure the French
attacks failed. Paris reports on the
contrary that near Tahuo the French
have retaken portions of their former
trenches.
The British and Germans are stiil
at deadly grips FOR possession of the
trenches captured from the British
southeast of Ypres, artillery and hand
erenades being employed in the fight
Ing. London reports that in the at
tack in which he British lost six hun
dred yards of front line trench the
Germans attacked over Il 'front.' of four
thousand yeards bur were everywhere
ropulsed with considerable losses cX-
ccpt at the point the trench was
captured.
ON the Russian front driving
snowstorm along the entire line mas
almost stopped operations, the usual
bombardment intersporscd with in
fantrY attacks continues on che
Austro-ltalian line.
In Albania the Austrians and Bul-
garians are said to have formed II
iuncture and are battling for the cap
ture of the important seaport Of
Iurazzo, which is being defended by
I.ssad Pashas forces consisting Of
Aibanians, Serbians and Monte
regrins.
Strumitsa, Bulgaria. has been
raided by thirteen French aeroplanes
which dropped SO bombs and re-
turned to their base unscathed. Sew
eral fires were started by these bombs.
The ministers of the entente powers
have informed the Belgian govern
ment that hostilities against the Teu-
tons and their allies will not be per-
mitted to end without Belgium having
re-established its political and eco
nomical independence. They added
that the Belgian government also
would be called upon to take part in
the peace negotiations.
The question of submarine warfare
still remains an open one by reason
of Germany's announced intention to
treat as warships all armed merchant
men after February 20. Secretary of
State Lansing is making careful
study of Germany's latest reply with
reference to the Lusitania question to
ascertain If there Is anything in the
German memorandum concerning
armed merchantmen which conflicts
with the assurances given by Ger
many in the Lusitania negotiations
regarding the sinking of liners and the
safety of their passengers.