ould make another stand.

On July 9, 1916, Turkish reconnoitering forces came in contact with
the Russians who were ejected from Kermanshah at a point fifteen miles
east of the city, while they were on their way to join their main
forces. After a fight of seven hours the Russians were compelled to
flee to Sineh.

By this time, however, the Russians had recovered their breath in the
Caucasus. On July 12, 1916, they recaptured by assault the town of
Mama Khatun. The next day, after a violent night battle, they occupied
a series of heights southeast of Mama Khatun. The Turks attempted to
take the offensive, but were thrown back. Pressing closely upon them,
the Russians took the villages of Djetjeti and Almali.

The Russian offensive quickly assumed great strength. By July 14,
1916, the Russians were only ten miles from Baiburt, had again taken
up their drive for Erzingan and had wrested from the Turks some
strongly fortified positions southwest of Mush.

Baiburt fell to the Russians on July 15, 1916. From then on the
Russian advance continued steadily, although the Turks maintained a
stiff resistance.

On July 18, 1916, the Russians occupied the town of Kugi, an important
junction of roads from Erzerum, Lhaputi and Khzindjtna. On July 20,
1916, the Grand Duke's troops captured the town of Gumuskhaneh,
forty-five miles southwest of Trebizond.

The next day, July 21, 1916, these forces had advanced to and occupied
Ardas, about thirteen miles northwest of Gumuskhaneh. The West
Euphrates was crossed the following day. On July 23, 1916, Russian
troops on the Erzingan route, in the Ziaret Tapasi district, repulsed
two Turkish counterattacks and occupied the heights of Naglika.

East of the Erzingan route they captured a Turkish line on the Durum
Darasi River. After having repulsed several Turkish attacks Russian
cavalry has reached the line of Boz-Tapa-Mertekli.

[Illustration: The Russians in Armenia.]

Closer and closer the Russians approached to the goal for which they
had striven for many months, Erzingan. On July 25, 1916, this strongly
fortified Turkish city in Central Armenia, fell into the hands of the
Russian Caucasus army under Grand Duke Nicholas.

Erzingan, situated at an altitude of 3,900 feet, about one mile from
the right bank of the Euphrates, manufactures silk and cotton and lies
in a highly productive plain, which automatically comes into
possession of the Russians. Wheat, fruit, wines, and cotton a