New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-11
SAY TURKS TRAP
10000 BRITISH
Moslem Dispatches Report
Rout of Enemy at
Kut-eI-Amara.

London. Jan 10.-With the announce
ment to-day that Sir Percy Lake had
been appointed TO command the British
forces in Mesopotamia in succession TO
General Sir John Nixon, came con-
flicting reports of the progress OF the
campaign. One thing is certain-that
fierce battle is raging on the Tigris.
with Kut-el-Amsra as its centre.
The Turks were in full retreat or
January Q. with the British pursuing
them, J. Austen Chamberlain. Secre-
tary for India. announced in the House
Of Commons to-day. There had been
heavy fighting on both banks of the
Tigris on January :. Mr. Chamberlain
stated. and the British had taken two
Turkish guns and 700 prisoners.
Opposed TO this is German official
wireless dispatch, dated Constantine
pie. received mere to-day, which makes
the claim that Kut-el-Amara has been
surrounded by the Turks. and adds:
"1t is hoped the fort will soon either
be taken or will fall for want OF food
stuffs, ard tina. re British defenders.
who number more than 10000, will be
captured.
Fort Is Isolated.
"The British thought by leaving
these forces in kut-el-Amara 70 guar
antee the defence Of the town and also
to assure the orderly retreat Of the re-
mainder OF the army. This portion OF
the army is at present a long way
southeast of kut-el-Amsra and cannot
20 70 the help of the fort. especially
as the morale of this force is shaken"
A semi-offical statement from Con-
stantinople, received at Amsterdam to-
day. says:
"On the Irsk front the enemy. whose
strength is estimated az one division.
which was stationed az Niam AlliRsrbi
in order 10 come TO the rescue at hut-
el-Amara. on January 6 and :. under
the protection OF four gunboats. at
tackled our positions at Shaik Said, bat
was rerulsed by our counter attack.
We made some prisoners. The en-
emy losses are estimated al 5000. The
enemy cavalry suffered especially Sc
we're losses. .
la telling the Commons the news OF
the British success on the Tlgris, MI
Chamberlain said: 49,.
General Alymer left Niam ALL
garbl Oh January s with troops march
ing 10 the relief OF kut-el-Amara. On
the same day General Townsnend. at
Kut. reported that the previous night
the enemy had opened a heavy FIRE or
the northwest front and on the village
opposite kut, but had made no attack;
On the night of January : General
Alymer reported heavy firing on the
south bank of the Ti2rls.
Try Flank Move.
"On the right bank General Camp
bells column carried the enemys posi-
ton, taking two guns and 100 prison
ers and then intrenched. Meanwhile
the main attack on the left bank was
retarded by an enemy outhanHing
movement, and General Alymer re-
ported that he apparently was op-
posed by three Turkish divisions.
"On the evening OF January ne re-
ported that owing to fatigue the troops
had been unable TO make any progress
that day. On the 9th he reported the
enemy in retreat and that he was pur-
suing, but that heavy rains hindered
the pursuit.
From later telegrsms u appears that
the enemy has reached khora."
In announcing the appointment OF
Sir Percy Lake Mr.. chamberlain SAID
that General Nixon had been compelled
BIZ III health 20 return home.
Sir Percy is fifty-nine years old ana
has had long and brilliant army ca
reer. He has been chief of the Gen
eral Staf in India since 1912. He
served in the Afghan war OF ls1s-I9
and was awarded a medal, and was sim
ilarly honored for his services with the
Soudan expedition in 1855. Much Of
his subsequent service was in connec-
ton with the Canadian militia. for
which ne served some time as quarter
master general. afterward as chief OF
the General staff OF the militia and
then As inspector general. leaving the
last named post 10 become division
commander in India IN 1911.