The Elbert County tribune., 1916-05-19
OPERATIONS ON ITALIAN FRONT
RESULT IN CAPTURE OF
MUCH ARTILLERY.
OTTOMAN ARMY IN TRAP
GERMANS ATTACK AND OCCUPY
RUSSIAN TRENCHES BUT
ARE EXPELLED.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Petrograd, May 17.-With the ad-
vance of the Russian forces south
ward from the Urumiah region
toward Mosul. in Assyria, on the tt
girls, which resulted recently in the
occupation of Rivandouza, the Rus
slams are now bringing fresh pres
sure of the most powerful sort upon
the rear of the Turkish armies in
Mesopotamia. The development of
this line of attack has greatly en-
HANGED the chances of success of the
Russian campaign, which holds forth
the hope of bringing not only Bagdad
but the entire country between the
T1gris and the Euphrates under Rus
sian dominion.
OF the two groups of Russian arm
les now threatening Mesopotamia
overland, the one already mentioned
has crossed the Mesopotamian border
and is marching rapidly toward Mo
sui. The only serious obstacle be-
tween it and this goal is the ancient
fortified city of Jezireh-Ibn- Omar, on
an island in the Tigris, 130 miles
southeast of Diarbekr. 1t is believed
that this city, with its antiquated de-
fenses, will not long delay the Rus
sian advance. The progress of these
forces already has broken the back
bone of the Turkish communications
between Diarbekr and Mosul and
the Turkish armies covering these
two points are now separated except
f6,- ,fv ~.
rear to be of much service.
Some 200 miles southward the 9TH
er group of Russian forces drawn up
on the Persian-Turkish border before
Khanikin is prepared to strike
through to Bagdad. The combined
pressure from these two directions
upon the Turkish rear has placed the
entire Turkish army in Mesopotamia,
estimated at between six and seven
divisions, or about 1000 men. in the
greatest jeopardy Germany has hur-
riedly dispatched forces, it is be-
lieved, to the Turkish center at Err
.zingan, to try to stem the Russian
advance, but apparently these efforts
have come too late.
London.-Italian first line positions
in several sectors have been captured
by the Austrians after concentrated
artillery preparation, it was an
nounced in Austro- Hungarian head
quarters reports issued in Vienna.
The Austrians took more than $500
prisoners, seven cannon and eleven
machine guns in these operations.
French curtain of fire checks Ger
man infantry attacks before Verdun
though Berlin reports French losses
as sanguinary.
Germans attack and occupy Rus
sian trenches in the lake region near
Dvinsk, but later are expelled.
News is awaited with anxiety of the
powerful German fleet which is re-
ported to have departed for Riga, on
the Baltic sea.
Belfast. Ireland.-Stubborn disin-
clination to accept anything in the
way of government which might
imply the future subjection of Ulster
to home rule was evident on Premier
Asquith's visit to Belfast, which last.
ed only a few hours. So far as can
be learned, the premier's conference
with a large body of representative
Ulstermen was disappointing. 1t is
understood that the question of the
general disarmament of forces in Ire
land. not authorized by the govern
London, May 1.-THE French, by
sudden attack, surprised the Germans
on the heights of the Meuse and
cleared 200 meters of Teuton- trenches
according to an official statement is
sued in Paris Monday German at
tacks in Champagne were repulsed.
Activity increasing along British
line in France, sapping operations and
sharp bombardmentJ being reported.
Germans take trenches east of Loos
but are elected.
Petrograd reports continued success
in Caucasus region including capture
of town with large amount of war
material.
Austrian assaults north of Lenzuno.
No activity reported ON Russian
front.