The fall of Trebizond is unquestionably a matter of the
very first importance, and will greatly facilitate a Russian advance towards Constantinople along the coast of the Black Sea. It is too early to say at present whether the Turkish forces that have been defending Trebizond have been broken up and destroyed by the Russian victory. If they have been, and the Turks are therefore compelled to send large reinforcements into Asia Minor, the military position in the Near East may be seriously compromised for our enemies. If troops have to be withdrawn from Adrianople, Gallipoli, and Constantinople, the Germans and Austrians will be obliged to provide large reinforcements for the Balkans. But they can hardly do this without very seriously weakening their armies either on the line from Galicia to the Baltic or else on the Western front.
