The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-02-24

Far<S.r-The escape OF large part of
the Turkish garrison at Erzerum when
+ the city was evacuated is indicated in
Fhe latest dispatches from Petrograd,
me fortress having been carried in
payonets charges and not by a siege.
The Turks are reported to be in
full flight and they are eing slaugh-
tered right and left by the Russians.
Before the city was abandoned the
kurds massacred thousands OF Ar
menians.
Russian forces forming the right
wing OF the Grand Duke Nicholas
Caucasus army are within so miles
of the important Turkish Black Sea
port OF Trebizond.
The ancient city OF Baiburt, on the
rQed from Erzerum to Trebizond. has
been captured, 1t was reported. The
KUssians are pushing on toward the
pontine Mountains.
The capture of Trebizond is expect
ed within another fortnight Ad-
Vices from Petrograd said IT was con-
sid6red certain that the Grand Duke
W6nld send force against the city
before pressing his campaign against
the Turks to the westward.
The Russian authorities already
have taken steps to ameliorate the
Nondition OF the Armenians. A tri-
bunal will be established in Erze-
run as soon as possible and investi-
&atiDn OF Turkish atrocities against
the Armenians will be begun at once.
Wholesale executions of Turkish
< civil Officers responsible for the out
RACES are predicted.
The fall OF what was considered an
smpregnable fortress locatel on a
nteep mountain ridge nearly a mile
in altitude after only SO hours Of
bombardment followed by a bayonet
charge IS considered TO be a remark
able achievement The weather was
at It's worst, with h snow and
temnersture far below zero.
Apparently the daring attack OF the
Russians swept the Turks off their
feet. They had expected an invest
ment ond considered an assault i'm
possible
IN Upper AIsace after thorough ar
fsiiery preparation. the Germans at
tackled French positions north ut
I.AtftFen and set foot temporarily
To their trenches. They were eject
ga by counterattac cks.
The British made new attempt
to retake the position southwest Of
pros facentlv captured by the Ger
inans. but We're beaten off with
heavy losses. It was officially an
ssollncad BY Berlin.
ARMENIAN FORTRESS FALLS.
Ion8on.-After FIVE days Of terri
fic Fighting the Russians captured
Ffzerum. Turkeys grest fortress in
Armenia
Grand Duke Nicholas telegraphed
tho follUwing report to the Car
Cod has granted the brave troops
OF the army OF the Caucasus such
krfat help that Erzerum has been
f3ken after five days OF unprecedented
assault. am inexpressibly happy to
onnouDce this victory to your i'm
periai Majesty
The Turkish garrison under the
<ierman Field Marshal Ven DR. Col 2
fas reported in semiofficial dispatches
a lew DAYS ago TO number $4,000 men
ater dispatches said the city was
elosely invested, and It is assumed in
ondon that the Marshal was cap
4ured
Military experts Of the Entente al
5les say the victory Is of great strate-
BIC Importance.
Erzerum is the centre OF roads lead
ing IN ali directions over the roads
50 the southwest and south it will be
0osslble for the Russians now to fight
beir way toward their compatriots
operating against { Persisns and
Parks In northwest and west Persia.
proceed southwark toward Bagdad
the relief Of the British bottled up
Kutel-Amara, on the Tigris, south
ast Of Bagdad