New-York tribune., 1916-02-26
Kut-el-Amara Troops Are
Withdrawn for Attempt
TO Regain Fortress.
RUSSIANS ENCOUNTER
STIFFER RESISTANCE
p;c Battle Developing Forty
Miles from City as Rein
forcementS Arrive.
rP- cas,s 70 N, Tnbunsl J


,o,don. Feb. 26.-Turkey is making
..,s, Efforts 10 dispatch troops to the
p,.sian front in an endeavor to re-
..-,rre Erzerum before the Russians
....ec5 in strengthening their posi-
..ors saws the Bucharest correspondent
.saTbe Times" All ordinary traffic on
n, railway from the Bosphorus to An
~ors has been stopped, according TO the
correspondent, and trains conveying
.,oops and supplies are running inces-
..-.iv hut As the distance from Angora
"a Trzerum viii consume at least a
~o,,b's march there is little likelihood
of,be success Of this movement.
To take part in this movement even
he Turkish troops surrounding the
british 40 Kut-el-Amsrs are being
r.,bdraun. late reports from the Meso-
,o.amian headquarters indicate. The
turks are said long ago 70 have ceased
.seir attacks on the besieged position.
iispatch to "The Morning Post"
rom Petrograd says:
From the latest information Il
,.ms certain that Kismil Pacha, for
-sr Turkish Grand Vizier. got his
main body Of troops rom Erzerum and
~oved westward at an early period in
.s. Russian assault on the Deve-Boyun
,sirbts. and that the Turkish forces
which we're cut up in the early days
ef the pursuit were only lie rear
Guard. Apparently the Russians have
row disposed Of this rearguard and
come to close grips with the main body
o. the Turks
Renewed attacks by British forces
coming TO the relief Of the garrison at
Nut-el-Amara and the Russians pres
,ne forward in Persia are reported to
6sv from Constantinople and Petrograd.
The Turks declare that British bat
talon which attacked q Turkish posi-
aon at Felahie, below Kut-el-Amsrn,
sas driven back, leaving many dead.
Several British officers were captured
with soldiers who had escaped into the
surrounding country.
A dispatch from the official press
felresentative with the army attempt
ing 70 relieve Kut. dated at Pasra,
Asis,ic Turkey, last Monday, says that
during the last month there has been
certain amount of patrol work, snip
ing at night and artillery fire by day.
The British forces have thrown for
ward trenches 10 within 90 yards or
the Turkish positions.
Around KermanshGh the remnants OF
the Turkish commands. assisted by
German sappers, had fortified them
sci es in two mountain passes Blde-
surks Pass. an almost impregnable
natural position. and Sakhae Pass.
By a combined frontal and flank at
tack the Russians succeeded in dis
lodging the Turks, who again are IN
full retreat toward Kermanshah. They
abandoned three field guns, one noun
tain gun, a quantity OF shells, am
munition, wagons and field machine
guns.
The Russian success is sequel to
series Of strategic Russian opera
lions in Persia with the purpose Of
putting an end 20 the activities of hos
tile mountain forces and organized
bands Of Kurds u is also regarded,
however. as of more than local signif-
eance. indicating greater possibility
o. juncture Of the Russians with the
British expeditionary forces in Meso-
potamia. On that account the for
tunes Of the British forces are
watched here with great interest.
The Turks are nov occupying the
main approaches to the difficult posi-
ton OF Kermanshah. The Russian
troops are expected TO make deter
mined effort 10 expel the Turks from
this entire neighborhood.
Although little news Is available
rom the Ezserum front IL is apparent
hat having been forced back some
iorty miles TO the west Of the captured
fortress the Turks. who have begun TO
receive reinforcements, are beginning
to make e stubborn stand. 1t is not
considered impossible here that the
serious fighting which already has be-
gun TO take the place of the desultory
rear guard actions will develop into a
big battle.
IN the Caucasus our troops took by
assault the town Of Ishpir Pursuit Of
'he enemy in the regions of Erzerum
aud Knyss continues" says the Rus
sian official statement issued tonight.
IN the Kermanshah region of Persia
our troops, having dislodged the enemy
ron his mountain positions, occupied
The town Of Sakhne, taking four guns.
South OF Teheran our troops have en-
tered the town Of Kachen."