Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-19
Erzerum FoFts and Surround
ing Territory Said to Be Full
of MosIem Dead.
STORY OF THE CAPTURE
TOLD FOR FIRST TIME
Assaults of Slavs Against Fortlhca-
tions of Desperate and Con-
tinuous Character.

LONDON. February 49,
"The completeness of the defeat
sustained by the Turks and the
terrible losses they suffered in the
Erzerum fighting are becoming
more and more clear. The forts
in the fortress itself and in the
surrounding country are full OF
Turkish dead, SAYS late Rus
sian statement.
THE remnants of the Turkish army,
chased by our troops. are fleeing in
disorder. at many points in different
directions" the communication contin-
ues. "A severe snowstorm has failed
to cool the ardor of our men in pur-
suit. who are close on the heels of the
enemy and are annihilating them or
taking prisoners at the tail ends of
Turkish columns
Before the evacuation Kurds merci-
lessly massacred thousands of Arme-
mans.
No Large Captures Made.
Details from the Russian side indi-
cate that there were no large cap
lures of men when the fortress fell.
The bulk of the Turkish troops appar-
emily were well on the retreat west
ward at the time the inner forts were
taken. only the rearguard taking part
in the last days fighting.
Reinforcements which the Turks were
sending to Erzerum are reported to
have been five or six days march dis
tant when the city was surrendered.
Meanwhile the Russians are active
along the Black sea coast to the north,
a Sebastopol dispatch reporting the
bombardment of Vitzesu, fifteen miles
from Trebizond A Russian advance
landward in the direction of Trebizond.
on the coast northwest of EZerum, al
ready has been unofficially reported
May Balk Fanatical War.
The Russian press believes that the
collapse of the Turkish defense in
Armenia viii put an end to Germany's
efforts to inspire Mussulman fanatf-
cal war against Russia, and will tend
to turn them against their German
allies. 1t is pointed out also by the
newspapers that the fall of Erzerum
may bring about the collapse of the
proposed German campaign against the
Suez canal and Egypt.
The evacuation of Trebizond, accord
ing to the newspapers, Will be one or
the immediate results of the Russian
victory TrebiZond is regarded as be-
ing no longer tenabie as the Turkish
Black sea base.
Turks May Make Stand.
While no news has been received of
organized resistance by the Turks in
the vicinity of Erzerum since shat
Turkish stronghold in Armenia was
taken by the Russians, Petrograd ad-
vices indicate that it was thought pos
sible the Turks would make stand
on the western edge of Erzerum valley,
eleven miles from the city. 1t is not
thought probable. however, that they
were able to erect any powerful forti-
scations there.
How Erzerum Was Captured.
The first story in detail of the cap
reached Petrograd semi officially to-
day. 1t shows complete cooperation
OF Russian troops over wide area.
which made resistance on the part OF
the Turks useless. Apparently the
Turks realized the fall of ErZerum
was inevitable and withdrew most OF
their forces before the final onslaught,
leaving the garrisons of the widely
separated forts to their fate.
The campaign began to reach its eli
max in the last days OF January. The
troops of Gen. p, from the north.
and those of Gen. x. from the east,
moved against the first forts under the
most severe weather conditions. The
Russians dra gged their artillery to the
heights surrounding the fortresses and
when all was ready began to lombard
Forts Kara Gudek. twenty miles, and
Fort Dalan GeZ. fifteen miles northeast
of Erzerum, preparatory to the bayo-
net assault.