Evening star., 1917-04-01
Near East Events hserent arm arm
of Great Importance. east, develo,

meuts in Mesopotamia, Persia, TURKISH
Armenia and in Palestine have assumed
striking importance by virtue OF the
allies. continued successful endeavors
against the Turks.
The Russians, moving against otto-
man forces from the region of Persia,
have been divided into three divisions:
All are making progress. and Two OF
these have crossed the boundary lines
of Mesopotamia and the Vliayet OF
Mosul. which lies to the northeast OF
have stormed Turkish positions near
Herin and Sermilkerind pass, Wnlie
fortifications in the vicinity OF haial-
chahin. all of which points are IN the
direction of Khanikin, have been taken
nv ,be Russians Turks claim the re-
mise of Russian attacks near Baneh
Sakkiz, but this claim is in a measure
discounted by the fact that positions
here are far behind the present RUSSIAN
line. ~
n,,shirp up the Tigris and Dialah rivers,
and a junction with the Russians IS not
far removed.
The Turks evidently are in badly
demoralized condition fog they seem
unable to stand successfully at any
point The Russian armies operating
in Armenia are declared to have moved
further to the south and unless 'he
Turks rapidly retire from their preseh.
dangerous position within the course OF
the next few weeks they stand
chance of being completely cut on from
reinforcements which the Turkish gov
ernment undoubtedly has dispatched TO
the east The Turks have much desert
territory to cross if they tarry long. AS
, it is declared the Turks can never sue
cessfully cross the Ei JeZireh regions
to the west. their dilemma is manifest
| Not only have the Turks continued to
in, hn oric
sian regions but the British have de-
liyered a severe blow to their aSplra-
tions in Palestine where they are de-
clared to have brought the capture OF
Jerusalem nearer. The British nave
advanced a considerable distance up the
Mediterranean coast. having reached a
! point near GAIA. The British already
! have occupied El-chalil directly east
| and their line east and west is con-
| tinuous one well suited to further ad-
vances northward The significant re-
| port was made during the week that
| the British have been largely REIN
! forced in this region If this be true
| the Turkish positions in the whole
! Palestine region are in danger. for con-
! tinued progress is claimed for the Ara
| forces.
| So serious is the Ottoman position
that Field Marshal Won Mackensen has
been sent to ConStantinople to effect a
reorganization of the Turkish army.
That Germans already play an import
ant part in the offering of the Turkish
armies is indicated by the official state
ment from London announcing the cap
| ture of numerous Austrians and Ger
mans when the entire staff of the 53d
| Division was taken during the Palestine
| operations
! The Germans early in the war sent
! Field Marshal Won der Goltz to Con-
stantinople to organize the Turks. and
| he did so with good results. Won der
| Goltz died either naturally, from
wounds receiyed in action, or was the
| victim of assassination-the facts
never have been made thoroughly clear
land the Turks have been dependent
upon lesser lights dispatched to their
| assistance from Berlin. If Field Mar
| shall Won Mackensen, the conqueror of
| Rumania and the leader of several
| other highly successful campaigns, has
! taken the reins, sitter Turkish resist
ance may be expected in the future. for
| he Is expected to quickly whip the OF
| toman forces into line, if it is at all
possible to correct the present very
| evident state of Generalization.