The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1916-02-18
THOUSAND GUNS
ARE ALSO TAKEN
ALLIES ARE, VERY MUCH RE-
JOICED OVER CAPTURE
BY RUSSIANS.
MEANS MUCH IN THE WAR
Was the Solitary BuIwark of
Turkish in Asia-CongratuIa-
tions Sent Grand Duke Nich-
olas by Poincare.

PETROGRAD (via London). Feb.
1.-THE Official Messenger estimates
the Turkish garrison at Erzerum, cap
ture Of which was announced yester-
day, as 100000 men. 1t is also esti-
mated that more than 1000 guns were
captured.
1t is said there were 467 guns in the
outer forts, 374 in the central forts
and 200 field guns at Erzerum.
Best Item of News.
PARIS, Feb. 1.-THE capture of
the great Turkish stronghold of Err
zerum by the Russians is declared by
the French newspapers this morning
as the best item of news for the al
lies in many months. The military
experts dwell upon the Importance of
the canture. declaring that it gives the
Russians the key to Asia Minor and Is
a victory which will inevitably have
far-reaching consequences.
Gen. Berthaut in the Petit Journal
says it is not only deadly blow to
Turkey, but an@event which cannot
fail to have its effect on the other the
aters of the war. Major de Civireux
says in the Matin:
"The conquest of Erzerum is of
more Importance than would be that
of any other fortress in the whole war
theater. In Asia we are not faced by
strategic chess board ruled across
by railroads and excellent routes
along which fresh forces could be
brought up in a few days. Erzerum
was the solitary bulwark of the Turk
ish empire in Asia. Open spaces, suit
able for operations on a great scale
now present themselves to the forces
of Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia"
President Poincare telegraphed con-
gratulations on the capture of Erze-
rum to the emperor and Grand Duke
Nicholas, commander of the Russian
forces on the Caucasus front.
With the capture of Erzerum by
the Russians interest in war opera
tions has shifted its center momen-
tarily to Armenia, Persia and Meso-
potamia, where the campaigns are ex'
pected to be notably influenced in
lHclI CouISc ny thS ldll VI hiO ui n
ish stronghold.
The current Turkish official state
ment gives no clue to the course Of
events after the capture of the fort
ress and does not even record that
happening. The only mention of the
operations in this zone is declara-
ton that the Russians, in the fighting
of the three days preceding, lost 5000
dead and go prisoners. Unofficial adj
vices from Petrograd say the Turk
ish army is fleeing westward from
Erzerum through difficult noun
| tain region.
| Military observers in allied capitals
who regard Erzerum as the key to
Asia Minor, expect the Russian sue
cess to facilitate the capture of Tre-
bizond on the Black sea coast to the
north, giving possession to the Turk
lsh gateway from Asia into Europe,
while the Turkish forces. throughout
Armenia will be put in jeopardy, it
is argued, and the pressure on the
British in Mesopotamia will be re-
lieved Operations on a large scale
| by the Russians will be possible for
the forces of Grand Duke Nicholas, it
lis declared.
According to the official account
the British Mesopotamia forces have
been heavy sufferers in the recent
fighting. The British losses in the
battle at Batiha, west of Korna, ag
gregated 1000, it is stated.
Fighting on the western front has
lessened in intensity, probably be-
cause of bad weather, and similar
conditions prevail in Russia.