New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-22
Union of Armies One
Objective of Russ
Campaign.
ADVANCE ON LINE
200 MILES LONG
Turks Lose Dujailam Re-
doubt; Evacuate
BethaieSSa.

army has come into touch with the
British forces fighting the Turks on
the Tigris River. The announce
ment of this reveals that the Rus
SLAMS have achieved in part one OF
their main objectives in the Asia
Minor campaign-that Of joining
with their British allies.
The information that the two ar
mics had come into contact in Meso-
potamia was unexpected. It is stated
that a force of Russian cavalry,
"after a bold and adventurous ride"
has formed junction with the Brit
ish General Gorringe on the right
bank of the Tigris in the region OF
Kut-el-Amara, where only recently
British force under General Town.
shend, after long siege, was forced
to cspitulate TO the Turks.
How the Russians made their ad-
vsnce-whether along the Tigris
Valley past Bagdad or down through
Persia-has not been made known.
Coincident with their arrival, how
ever, comes a report that the Turks
have evacuated Bethaiessa, their ad-
vanced position on the right bank Of
the Tigris. and also have lost TO the
British their Dujailam redoubt.
Event OF Great Significance.
The junction Of force Of Russian
,avalry with the British army in Meso-
rotamia has caused lively impression
here, where it is regarded as an event
of great dramatic significance. There
is much speculation as TO the strength
Of the Russian force and the point
from which it started on its sdventur-
Gus ride to the British lines.
"The Daily News" says that IL the
Russians came from Kermanshas, as
seems probable, the feat would have
teen a brilliant one, for they must
have come through swamps and over
mountains void of tracks or with roads
only of the most primitive character.
The distance cannot have been less
than $50 miles.
Ardent hopes are based on General
Gorringe's capture Of Dujsilam redoubt,
which is the key 10 the fort Of Essinn
defensive line on the right bank OF
the Tigris. The Turks are still hold
ing the Sannaiyat defences on the left
bank, but strong as their position is
in this locality, with their right flank
resting on the river and their left on
Suweikie, 1t is difficult, remarks Tho
naily News" military expert, 70 sec
now they can hold il, seeing that il
can now be enfiladed by Gorringes
runs from the right bank Of the river.
Russians Ride TO Tigris.
An official communication issued to-
night follows:
General Lake reports that on the
10th the enemy vacated the Beth
siessa advanced position on the right
bank of the Tigris. General Gorringe,
following up the enemy, attacked and
carried the Dujailam redoubt The en-
emy is still holding the Sannayyst po-
siton on the left bank Of the river.
"A force Of Russian cavalry has
joined General Gorringe after q bold
and adventurous ride"
This report followed dispatches from
Petrograd revealing that two great
Russian armies were advancing on
200-mile line against the Turkish Meso-
potamia army. IL is stated that tho
Russian occupation OF SskiZ and their
advance upon the village Of Ban is OF
importance and establishes a
direct line of communication between
the two Russian groups which are
operating against the Turkish Meso-
potamia army.
Although little has been known re-
garding the military operations in this
immediate district, which lies between
Lake Urumish and Kananixsn, on the
Persian border northeast OF Bsgdsd,
Kurdish bands, supported by Turkish
regulars, have been for long time at
tempting to make inroads into Persia.
BY cutting off from each other ths
Russian armies advancing toward the
Mesopotsmisn border IL was hoped 10
make their progress impossible.
Danger of Wedge removed.
II is apparent that in these efforts
they had been so successful as 10 capt
ure the Persian towns OF Sakiz and
Ban, but, as officially announced, the
Russians recently ousted them from
these positions, and the danger created
by this wedge into the Russian line
has been removed.
Ban is near the Turkish border and
along a 200-mile front the Russian
armies are now drawn up close to the
Mesopotamsn frontier. Military ex-
perts believe that further progress foe
the Russians should be considerably
facilitated By this Strengthening out
Of the Russian line and the establish
ment Of direct communicsti which
not only makes further Kurdish Ia
roads impossible. but lightens the dif-
fcult task Of provisioning. which de-
layed the Russian progress in Asia
Minor.
-Four thousand German troops ara
expected at BAgdad In Juns." sAys Tia