The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-02-19
ERZERUM
Ccontinusd Prom first r.x.,

pedIeu that the Russian attack would
be directed upon the Turkish right
flank and by rapidly transferring
troops the Turks made all plans TO
resist the main assault from this quar-
ter. Apparently they had little fear
OF the success Of this attack because OF
the strong character or the fortifica-
lions in that direction and even less
apprehension OF danger from a frontal
attack.
Nevertheless. after the Russians
succeeded in taking by storm the first
line forts on February there began
a persistent bombardment of the Turk
ISM center. followed by a bayonet
charge, the inpetuosity OF which
swept the defenders off their feet. The
highest tribute is paid TO the. bravery
or the caucasian troops. whose charge
Is considered likely TO go down in
history "a one of The most brilliant
feats Of the war
Due TO Bayonet
II is recognized here that the sue
cess of the assault was due almost en-
tirely to the bayOnet work of these
troops. since the artillery preparation
was insufficient in intensity and dura-
ton, according TO military experts. to
The wiping out OF this Turkish base
tends 10 disrupt the whole Caucasus
campaign Of the Turks. as Il not only
served as a'base OF the operations in
the Caucasus. but also OF those in
Mesopotamia. It's fall leaves no very
strongly fortified point between Ere
rum and Siyas. about $50 miles 10 the
west. and brings more 10 the front
consideration OF an eventual attack
upon Constantinople from the east
An attempt 20 rctake Erzerum is an.
ticipated. but there are enormous diff
culties attending the bringing up Of
Turkish achievements, as IL Is as
sumed that Turkish forces in Meso-
potamia cannot be spared The alter
native for the Turks seems 20 be 10
draw upon these at Constantinople
from which all possible routes toward
Erzerum are long and arduous The
most practicable IS by railway TO
Urfa. whence it would be necessary 10
march overland more than 200 miles
The Black sea route 10 Trebizend has
become impracticable because Of the
Russian domination OF the Black sea
littoral
Pursuit Under Way.
Few forecasts are made 10 the fu-
TIC va NAF AAAANnAfAAA NAFl ALUM nf-N NNIIil
Erzerum. but pursuit OF the Turks.
who are retreating In bad order. ac-
cording 70 the reports. - assumed 10
be vigorously under way and Sivas is
regarded as the next probable objec-
tive OF the Russian arrries
The capture OF Erzerum has had the
effect o. making more secure the Rus
sion position along the Black Sea
coast and those Of the southern flank
a. Alashgerd. while the possibility ~
a successful Russian thrust towards
the British eXpeditionary force in
McsopOtemia seems 10 be increasing
The victory Is taken by the Russian
military authorities as tho first signal
token OF successful cooperative ac-
uun among the allies This belief is
expressed in interview by diplomats
az the allied powers In Petrograd
Although tho official bulletin men
lions 10 guns captured. 10 o. known
mat The fortress contained 300 now
pattern krupp heavy guns. besides
an equal number Of an older pattern
To Isl assumed these were abandoned
and from tho precitafc nature of tho
evacuation o. ls not believed tho Turks
took time seriously to disable them