Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-16
Russians Driving Forward
With Fury and Great Teu-
tonic Retirement Is Likely.
ITALIANS SHOW SIGNS
OF MOVE ON GORlZIA
Turks and Slavs Engaged in Severe
Struggles-Arab Revolt
Now Growing.

has seen fit to belittle the rebellion
throughout the
Arab Rebellion provinces Of
Not to Be Belittled. the valiant
forces of the Grand Sheriff Of Mecca are
seeking to wrest their native country
from the Ottoman domination. it evidently
has judged the situation wrongly, for.
according to the latest advices received
form this important territory, the Ara
bians have extended their campaign over
hundreds Of miles and are making gains
of noteworthy character. The Red sea
port Of Kunfuda has fallen into the hands
of the grand sherif's men. This on It's
face would not appear to be much OF an
accomplishment, and, in fact, from q mil
tary standpoint is not, but 1t indicaess
now are operating, as Kunfuda is zoo
miles from the port of Jiddah, which was
one Of the first to be lost to the Turks.
Arab tribes are operating more II, .nam o xyS
give them backgrounds facing the Red
sea of more than 400 miles where they
seem to be chiefly in control
activities. and if they are well equipped
for their present military endeavor, as
reported, the menace to the Suez canal.
which was real one less than year
Turks and Germans were they able to
inaugurate an offensive of this character.
now would do SO with the gravest risks.
for the spread Of the Arabian revolt
would bring constant hazard to lines OF
communication. The Germans and Turks
spent months in building military rail-
roads and water mains across the desert
regions in order successfully YET to 6 prsss
Arabs at their rear these might be de-
stroyed at any juncture-actions which
undoubtedly would work disastrously to
Turco-Germanic aspirations.
Several battles apparently are being
fought in the regions farther to the
east and
Several Battles northwaro oe-
in Near East Regions. Russians and
Turks, inasmuch as Petrograd reports
that the forces of Grand Duke Nicholas
once more are on the offensive to the west
of Erzerum. The main Turkish forces are
conferred in this section. as are the chief
armies of the Russian commander. Ac-
cording to Petrograd the grand duke has
retaken the town Of Mamakhatum by as
sauIt. This would indicate that the Rus
SLAMS nave been aDie TO register OeclQeQ
gains against the enemy. for this place lies
twenty-five miles west Of the point which
the Turkish armies gained in their coun-
ter offensive which reached its height
about ten days ago. Apparently the Turks
once more are engaged in precipftate re-
treat, and this belief is further heightened
by the claim of the Russian official re-
ports which state that whole lines of
Turkish trenches have been stormed to the
west of Erzerum.
Although the fighting in the near east
is devoid of the spectacular, Paris and
London, as well as Petrograd and Con-
stantinople, still attach the greatest inn
portance to the conflict raging there. All
capitals are inclined to believe that the
war has not many months to run. There
is feeling that events OF the present
time will go a long way toward de-
cision in the European struggle, and con-
sequently the desire that the grand duke
and the British forces operating in Meso-
potamia garner in all territory possible
before the final decision is reached Is
but natural one, for the amount Of ter
ritory held will go far toward readjust-
ing things in the near east. Great Rus
sian success means that the Slavs will
be better able to demand those things
which they have long coveted, but which
have been denied through Turkish power
and secret agreements with other nations
Decided success over the Turks means
decided gains when final negotiations look
ing toward peace are inaugurated.