Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-30
KHYNYSSKALA SEIZED
IN STEADY ADVANCE
Moslems Repulsed With Heavy
Losses in Direction of
Urumiah.
ROUTED FROM MOUNTAINS
Slavs Gain North of Dumlu Dagh
and East of Erzerum-Junction
With British Within Bounds
of Possibility.

PETROGRAD, January %, via
London.-The Russian Cauca sian
operation is widening, fanlike. to
the westward, southwestward
and southwark with the posi-
bility, according to semi-ofhcial /,
opinion, of juncture being
formed with the British Mesopo-
tamian expedition.
The advance of the Russian
column south of Hamadan leaves
but comparatively short dis
tance between the Russian and
British forces in the two theaters
of war. Although the country
between is broken and noun
famous, Russian military observ-
ers take the view that the Turks
fear a junction of the two armies
and are taking measures to pro-
tect their lines against such an
eventuality.
Russians in Advances.
The Russian advance is pushing west
| of Meiazghert. where the important
town of Khynysskala, fifty miles south
of Erzerum. has been captured. At
the same time progress is reported in
the direction Of Van and likewise
toward Urumiah. where it is officially
announced that the Turks have been
repulsed with heavy losses. Further
southeast in the region of the Kanda-
lanski pass, southeast of Hamadan. an
other Russian victory is reported.
North of Dumlu Dagh, a chain OF
mountains in the region of Erzerum.
Turks were dislodged by Grand Duke
Nicholas forces. while an attempt of
the Moslems to advance in the upper
Passine valley, east of Erzerum, ts
said to have been futile.
Junction Is Feared.
That the Turks fear a junction Of
the Russians and British is indicated
by the retreat toward Mush of a large
part of their army that was recently
dent purpose of the move being to
cover Bitlis and Diarbekar. 1t is ad-
mitted that the recent successes OF
the Russians in the Caucasus opera
tions thus far not of great stra-
tegic Importance, but are regarded
having a notable moral effect upon the
Turkish troops, which. military observ-
ers point out. readily stampede in an
open campaign.
Held Master Stroke.
BY hanking Erzerum. fortress re-
garded by the Turks as an effective
barrier between the Caucasus and
Asiatie Turkey, Col Shumsky. military
critic of the Birzheviya Vedomosty.
says the Russians achieved a master
stroke, which seriously threatens that
stronghold.
The Erzerum fortifications. the critic
explains. are a straight line of forts.
extending twenty-four miles along
ridge intersecting all important roads
from the Caucasus. Under German
direction the Turks constructed new
forts to the right and left Of the old
fortifications. Without a formidable
base from which to attack, Col, Shum-
sky saws, the Russians took Metazghert
and Khynysskala without opposition
from Erzerum. The only explanation
he suggests is that the Turks were too
badly demoralized by the blow. which
caused them to fall back on Erzerum
to rally to the opposition. The Turks
who retreated toward Musb are cut of
from the fortress
The strategic meaning OF this ad-
vance along the whole Caucasus 'front.'
says Col. Shumsky, lis that We are
gradually approaching the British
forces in Mesopotamia. and although
1Nnn nf aA n
future, the mere fact of its possibility
Immediately opens new and important
strategic phases.
Indian Troops Arrive.
LONDON, January ga dispatch to.
day from the British press representa-
tive with the British forces in the Per-
sian gulf district contained the an
nouncement that the Indian troops
which left Flanders several weeks ago
are now in Mesopotamia.
Lieut.. Gen. Sir Percy Lake. who re-
Gently took over the supreme command
of the British forces in Mesopotamia.
succeeding Gen. Sir John Eccles Nixon.
has, according to an official announce
ment, Joined the relief expedition under
Gen. Aylmer at Wadi. He reports that
the weather continues bad and the
whole country Is deep in mud. making
the movement Of troops very dihcult-
Favor Advance on Suez.
All Turkish as well as German senti.
ment is for an immediate advance on
the Suez canal, says the Daily Mails
today in describing fur
ther impressions gained on his trip to
the Balkans. Owing to his dark COM
plexion the fact that he wore
fez and : lso because Of his perfect
knowled1 of German and French.
which as the mediums of conaynunica~
tion between Turks and foreiggers. the