New-York tribune., 1916-02-21
MOslems Driven Back
Along Black Sea,
Warships Aiding.
MOVE TO CUT
BAGDAD ROAD
Cars Forces Advance
North from Erzerum-
Left Rests on Lake Van.

Petrograd, Feb. 20.--The Russians
are pressing the advantage gained at
Eryerum on both fsnks. On the right,
along the Black Sea coast, by the CO.
operation Of the sea and land forces
they are driving the Turks from one
position after another to the east OF
Trebizond, and IL Is expected that ac-
tive operations against that important
seaport will not be long deferred.
II is announced that Grand Duke
Nicholas. commander Of the Russian
forces in the Caucasus, has left Tifiis
for Erzerum.
A later Russian statement reported
the capture of the towns of Mush, in
Asiatic Turkey, eighty-three miles
south southeast Of Erzerum, and Ahlat.
In the last two days the Russians
have occupied Wilde (Widje) and
pressed forward ten or twelve miles
westward. The feet has destroyed in
succession several shore batteries
which might have been of assistance to
the Turks, and, by keeping we'll in ad-
vance of the land forces and by de-
stroying bridges over several streams
in the path of the retreating Turks, has
rendered their retreat more difficult.
The feet has been working SO close
10 the shore that the warships have
been reached by rife fire from the
Turkish troops. On the other hand.
the ships have spread confusion in the
ranks OF the Turks by dropping shells
among them.
Russian Left at Lake Van.
On the left flank, after the occupa-
ton of Koph, the Russians pushed on
to Pusch and Achlat, the latter on the
northwestern shore Of Lake Van. From
Koph to Mush, sixty miles over noun
tain roads. they fought several battles
and occupied Mush by storm.
The Turks fled southwark toward
Diarbekr, the next objective OF the
Russian army. Once in possession OF
Disrbekr, il is only a days march TO
the Bagdad railway, the last remaining
communication into Syria
The rapid Russian offensive beyond
Erzerum, il is believed here, makes II
probable that the retreat of the IurS-
ish corps operating along the Black Sea
coast and of those troops which were
active in the Mush district before tho
Russian occupation will be entirely CT.
off and that the main Turkish armies
will be surrounded. This fate has al
n
the 10th Corps. which was ordered from
Olti to Erzerum before the iall OF tho
fortress.
Division Falls Into Trap.
As telephone communication be.
tween this group of Turkish forces and
the garrison at Erzerum had been en-
tirely destroyed by the Russians, the
oath Division marched serenely on 20
Erzerum without suspicion that the
fortress was then on the point of sur
render. These troops reached Erzerum
from the northwest at the very mo
ment that the Deve-Boina line of forts
fell into Russian hands. and the army
which they had come to assist was IN
full retreat. The road over which they
had passed was instantly occupied BY
Russian cavalry, and, as they were com
pletely surrounded, there was no al
tentative but to surrender. with arms,
equipment and artillery.
II is regarded as almost inevitable
that the Turkish corps retiring along
the Black Sea coast under the destruc-
tive fire Of the Russian feet and the
pressure of the Russian armies will be
caught in the same sort Of trap, as the
Turkish troops falling back from Wide
20 Gumish Khaneh. about fifty miles
inland. still have a greater distance to
60 than the Russian troops which
ere advancing from Erzerum TO cut
them off.
On the Turkish right flank, where
the 9th Corps is operating, the Turks
find themselves in the same precarious
position. since all tn, roads OF retreat
% the north are gradually falling un-
lei Russian control The retreat Of
.hc Turkish armies everywhere is i'm
ncded By deep snow and the difficult
character Of the country. They are
without food and lack war supplies, and
there seems 10 be little possibility OF
their offering even temporary resist
ance of any strength 10 the Russian
advance.
an the course of the pursuit of the
Turks" says an official statement is
sued tonight, I'VE took prisoner an
an additional forty-nine officers and
$500 men. We captured six guns,
great number of arms, transport with
munitions and convoy.
an the lighting in the Erzerum dis
trict We also captured Turkish flag"