The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-01 00:00:00

THE WAR IN ASIA.

KARS, July 9.—Nine regiments have been de-
spatched to Ardahan, in consequence of the threat-
ening position taken up by the Russians. Cannon
and troops continue to pour in.
We have learnt only a few days ago the defeat
sustained by Selina Pacha and his division before
Urzughetti. You will have been acquainted long
since with the details of this unfortunate event. The
senseless and dangerous line of operations adopted
by the Turks in Asia, who, instead of concentrating
theirstrength on a small line of attack or defence, have
divided their forces over a vast line, and in two
isolated armies, under independent leaders, has
already been commented upon. The Muchir Zarif
Pacha is partly responsible for the disaster which
has befallen the army of Batoum, for had he but
properly'organised the espionage system, as he has
often been advised to do, he would have been ac-
quainted with the movements of the enemy, and a
feint advance on his part would have frustrated the
intentions of the form-a., and avoided the cala•
mity. The Russian account of the engagement
naturally teems with exaggerations. One thing,
however, is certain—Selim Pacha has sustained a
defeat ; the Russians again occupy Urzughetti, and
will probably concentrate their victorious forces,
and, in conjunction with the garrison of Gumri,
fall upon the army of Kars. The necessity has
been repeatedly shown of having an experienced
European general placed at the head of this army,
supplied with unlimited powers, so that another
►eference to that subject would be de trop, and is
perhaps too late.
The Russians have concentrated their forces
this side of the Arpatschai, on the Turkish
territory. The last reconnaissance reports them
to be above 20,000 strong, and describes the
enemy as drawn up in line of battle, and
apparently meditating an attack upon the
Turkish avant-guard stationed at Soubattan• In
consequence of this movement on the part of the
enemy, Kliourschid Pacha (Guyon) has quitted
Kars with the entire staff, and is at present re-
connoitring the Russian position. With the re-
itiferc-m eats which General Guyon took with him,
the Turkish forces at Soubattan are some 20,000
strong, with thirty-five pieces of cannon. The re-
mainder of the army, with the Muchir, Zarif
Musta.fa Pacha, is still encamped at Kars, but is
prepared to march at a moment's notice. An en-
gagement is inevitable.
The details we have received respecting the
acti,,n are very meagre, and they do not speak of
the fate of the artillery.
General Bebutoff commands the Russian army-
The struggle, which will soon begin, will be dee"
perate ' • but, it is to be feared, that the enemy
flushed with the success of the attack on Selim
.Pacha, and reinforced by the division of Kutais,
will prove an overmatch for the badly officered
Turkish army. In case of a defeat the consequences
will be terrible, and the fate of the campaign de-
cided. This could have been prevented had Eng-
land understood her interests in the East. A
small division of allies would have sufficed to
encourage the Turkish troops, and have com-
pletely changed the face of matters here. In-
stead of speculating on the probable result
of a defeat, and on the certain influence
Russia will reconquer in Persia, and which will
push to the banks of the Indus, I should now have
to record the commencement of the conquest of
Georgia, and the downfall of Russian ascendancy
in the East. Had even British or Anglo-Indian
Officers been sent to the Asiatic army, matters
would have improved. Should the Russians
obtain possession of Armenia and the province of
Anatolia, it will be found a difficult task
to expel them ; and whilst a few thousand
English and French troops would have sufficed to
check the advance of the enemy, and even to carry
the war into his own laud, it will demand a
regular campaign to draw him from the Turkish
province. Never have military matters been
more disgracefully guided than in the present case,
and that never has an army been so sacrificed by
the imbecility of his officers. The Seraskier at Con-
stantinople is responsible for any mishap that may
arise from his choice of the present Muchir. The
latter is totally ignorant of military matters, having
been all his life a Government writer ; and now,
through his influence with the Seraskier, the des-
tiny of an army of 50,000 men an I. the fate of
provinces are in his hands. Had the Muchir
followed the advice of General Guyon, and have
advanced into Georgia whilst the enemy's forces
were weak and divided, the defeat of Selim Pilch*
would have been avoided, and the success of the
Turkish arms far more probable. But in refusing
to be guided, and in losing many
favourable
op-
portunities, the Muchir has witnessed the de•itrue-
tiou of the Batoinn army's prospects ; and by
allowing the enemy to concentrate his forces at
will, he liaaoppo ed his own army to the chances
of a defeat. We trust sincerely that my dark lois-
givings may prove incorrect. In case if au action
the loss of the Turks will be very heavy, from the
defective ambulance arrangements. Several of
the most efficient medical men have already quitted
Kars, disgusted with the neglect to which till
sick and wounded are devoted. The number °
doctors and surgeons is pert ectly inadequate to
ll
lieve the present state of the hospitals. What
wi
it be on the field of battle? Fearful to write
there are no beds, no lint, no medicaments ; )11 :
word, not a single preparation has been made in
the event of a battle. For this transgression
the common rules of humanity no excuse can
offered.