26 FEBRUARY 1916, Page 1

In this context we may note that Major Moraht, tlro

German military critic, admits that the Grand Duke has conducted his campaign very ably. With a charming candour, ho declares that " the fall of Erzerum is, of course, strategically and politi- cally of importance." Major Moraht adds some other ingenuous and truth-revealing platitudes. For example, he states that Germany, " who is united to Turkey by too many interests, has a right to learn the truth." According to a Reuter telegram, he concludes :—

" The immediate political consequence of the Russian victory will he the complete insurrection of Turkish Armenia. though it can hardly be supposed that in the theatre of war between the Caucasus and the Persian Gulf the first defeat of the Turks will produce bad results."

We wonder how the Turks will like the characteristically German brutality of "the first defeat." Apparently the military critic leeks forward to a long series, for which, no doubt, pigeon-holes have already been cleared.