The Washington times., 1916-02-20
FLEEING TURKISH
army ELUDES THE
PURSUING RUSSIANS
Effects Successful Retreat
After Fall Of Erzerum-vlc-
tors Occupy Towns on. Way.

LONDON. Feb. 2o.-The Turkish
Caucasus army which defended Erzc-
rum has effected a successful retreat,
abiding the Russian forces that pur-
sued II.
The Russians In their pursuit. OF the
fleeing Turks have occupied many
minor positions west and northwest
OF the great fortress Grand Duke
Nicholas soldiers are expected to
drive on in tho direction OF Trebizond
to Join the forces landed near there.
II these forces are sufficiently strong
they may interrupt the Turkish re-
treat
rearRuard action is being fought
At Sivas. about twelve miles west OF
Erserum. but tho Turks are not ex-
pected TO make n determined stand.
a. IL Is considered impossible that
military supplies and endorsements
can reach them.
Important Russian Successes.
Important successes have been won
by tha Russians in the region OF
Lake Van. the PeiroErad war office
announces. The fortified city OF
Mush, ninety miles south OF Erzerum
and due west OF Lake Van. has been
captured and The Russians have
taken also the city OF Aklat The
Turks in this sector have been put
The fall OF Mush threatens the city
OF Bitlis, on the D1ebelxlr- Mosui- Ba 4
dad read. This Russian success in the
Armenian Taurus constitutes the first
serious menace to the road to Bagdad.
After surmounting the steep Taurus
mountains. the road to Bagdad will be
practically open.
The invaders are meeting with little
Turkish defense. The occupation OF
Trebizond by the Russians Is expected
Inomentarily by Petrograd. where II Is
declared the fall Of that city cannot
The new army being transported from
Batum In a part Of the forces that
Grand Duke Nicholas has been holding
IN reserve for a spring drive of formid-
able proportions:
British Defeated.
conStantinople dispatches report the
defeat of a British force In Mesopo-
tamia. Military experts forecast the
eventual relief or the allied troops In
Mesopotamia ~ a result of the Russian
victories In the Caucasus and the
Taurus.
It was stated that British troops on
the Ttgris below Kut-Ei-Amara at
tempted to cross the river and were
driven back after n three-hour battle.
The Turkish report says the Eng
lish forces were compelled to retire
on their second base, and left some
Of their dead on the field.
Berlin reports another attack by the
British on Inc German lines southeast
OF Ypres, preceded by a strong artii-
lery preparation. but the official state
ment from the London war office
makes no mention OF such an engage
mont @ t.-...e.s
An unsuccessful minor attack by the
Germans against the French lines in
the Artois resulted in failure.
The Paris official communicate re-
ports the destrpction of salient in
the German line northwest of the
strategicaliy important hill 40 as the
result OF a mine explosion.
Germans Busy In Belgium.
The Germans are reported u be busy
in Belgium. where large bodies OF troops
are being concentrated, supposedly for
another smashing blow in Flanders or
in France. Amsterdam dispatches state
that long trains. carrying great num-
bers OF infantry and artillery. are ar
rtvtng In the west snd south OF belgium
from the east. Conference OF German
military chieftains Is being held at Lou
vain.
The British and French conquest Of
the Kamerun. the important German
colony In western equatorial Africa. has
been completed with the capture Of
Mora. a positian in the northernmost
section OF tho colony. and the last held
by the Germans. The remnant OF the
German forces retreated over the bor-
der into Spanish Guinea.