New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-08
Clear katia Basin in Egypt
Take 5000 of
the Foe.
RUSSIANS REPORTED
ROUTED NEAR MUSH
Admit Retreat In Persia, but
Claim Advances in
Caucasus.

X
attempt Of the Turks to reach the Suez
! Canal has proved an even greater fail
ure than the earlier reports indicated.
Lieutenant General Sir Archibald
James Murray, commander OF the Brit
ish troops in Egypt, reports to-day
that, besides taking more than 1000
prisoners in the battle with the Turks
at Romani, his forces inflicted very
heavy losses on them and had con-
troops for eighteen miles, clearing the
Turks from the Katia basin.
The statement follows:
an reference to the fighting in the
katia district, the general officer com
handing in chief in Egypt reports that
our artillery, rife and machine gunfre
was most effective, and that the Turk
ish losses in killed or wounded appear
from all accounts to have been very
heavy. Late on the evening Of the 9TH
of August territorial infantry gallant
ly carried strong rearguard position.
Our pursuit of the Turks has been con-
tinued for a distance of eighteen miles,
and they are now well clear of the
Katia- Cmaisha basin.
The number of unwounded prisoners
taken by us now amounts TO forty-fve
officers and 3,l00 men, and they are a
very fine body of men"
Results of Turk Defeat
"The net results of the battle of Ro-
mani are the destruction of more than
one-fourth of the Turkish electives
, and the pushing Of the remainder out
into the blazing desert beyond the
Katia oasis" said Major General F. B..
Maurice, director of military opera
tons of the Imperial General Staff,
to-day.
There is no question the Germans
/ encouraged the latest Turkish attempt
on the canal in an effort to prevent us
/ from sending any of our forces TO the
I Western front. but the disastrous re-
suit shows we have provided adequate
ly for the safety of the Suez Canal"
Apprehension exists as to the fate OF
| the British prisoners taken at the time
/ of the Surrender of Kut-el-Amara TO
| the Turks Lcrd Robert Cecil said in
/ the House of Commons to-day that
repeated inquiries had been made
/ through the American Embassy at Con-
| stantinople to ascertain the where
abouts of these prisoners, but that no
reply had been received from the Porte.
| This, he said, inspired considerable
misgivngs, as the prisoners were com
PEELED. after the fall Of Kut-el-Amara.
TO cross the desert at the worst season
of the year.
Russians Routed at Mush.
A battle between the Turks and the
Russians in the Mush sector. in South
ern Turkish Armenia, resulted In the
Russians being routed, with the loss OF
more than 200 men in prisoners, seven
cannon and six machine guns, accord
/ ing to to-day's Turkish Headquarters
report. The statement adds that the
/ Turks have captured Mount Nebatt, IN
the Bitlis sector.
The Russian report admits the re-
treat of forces in Persia to the region
cast of Kermanshah, but announces the
repulse Of the Turks in the Bitlls sec
tor. Advances for the Grand Duke
troops near Erzingan are claimed.
The Turkish statement says:
Persian Front-A vigorous Russian
attack north of Bukan was repulsed
with heavy enemy losses. The Russ
sisns were compelled to retire north
ward.
Caucasus Front-We occupied in
the Bitlis sector Mount Nebatt SIX
kilometres southwest of Bitlis. Despite
the enemy's stubborn defence, our at.
tack against Mount kodak, southeast OF
/ D;.l,e continued ancCpsSfullV
"In the Mush sector our attack on
! Mount Kozma resulted in the headlong
fight Of the enemy. Our pursuing
troops penetrated the village OF klzi.
lagetsu, sixteen kilometres west OF
| Mush, ard captured 200 prisoners, SIX
guns and seven machine guns"
Russian Statement.
Caucasian Front In the region OF
Kialkit-Tchiftlik and Erzingan our
troops again advanced several versts
North Of the River Muratchaia the
Turks attacked all day long, but were
repealed by our troops.
an the region of Muchsko the Turks
continued to launch obstinate attacks
and compelled us to retire little
! distance TO the north.
"In the region of Bitlis large Turkish
forces, assisted by Kurds, launched OBJ
stinate attacks which were repealed by
our rifle fire. by grenade throwing and
by counter-attacks.
"Under pressure of the Turks our
troops in Persia have retired 20 the