London, Feb. 17.
Erzeroum is the key to Asia Minor, commanding the sole road open to the Russians to the Bos-chorus from Asia. Trebizond is not likely long to resist and then the Russians will have an unbroken line from the Black Sea to the northeastern edge of Mesopotamia, Besides the victor at Erzeroum the Russians have two armies in the Caucasus, one in the Black Sea littoral and the other in the region of Lake Van.
The capture of Erzeroum removes the chief obstacle to raids on the Turkish lines of communications with Mesopotamia and facilitates the linking up of the advances of the Russian and British forces towards Bagdad.
It is worthy of note that the massacre of the Armenians was directed from Erzeroum, The capture by the Russians in the depth of winter of this fortress, which is stunted at height of 6,000 feet and is notorious for its blizzards, will rank as a most heroic deed.
The operations began in January with a series of master actions by means of which General Ymoudeneich cleared his flanks, forcing the Turks to evacuate Me-Inzghert, southeast. of Erzeroum, and retreat to Mush. Then the Russian forces occupied Koppi-kai and Hastankala, both on the great Kors-Erzeroum road.
London, Feb 17.
A British diplomatist who has resided for along time in Erzeroum, interviewed by Reuter's representative, dwells on the immense political importance of the fall of " the Metz of East Turkey", which is more momentous than even Bagdad ise it is the key of the Ottoman tenors and was regarded as impres gnable; whereas Bagdad is merely the Arab Metropolis. He points out the moral effect on the Allies and their friends and the consternation the news will cause in Turkey and Bulgaria,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.