The Portland daily press., 1877-05-21
THE AsIATIC CAMPAIGN.


LONDON, May, 49,
Times Paris correspondent remarks on the
Russian telegraphic agency's telegram concern
ing reconnaissance in front of Kars, that it
will be observed the agency does not represent
this engagement as a decided success and does
not contradict the capture of Sukum -kaleh by
the Turks.
The Gar starts on the 2lst for the army of
the Caucasus.
ERzERoUM, May 19.-The Russian head
querters are at Kuschik. Partial attempts to
lombard kars continue.
Russian Barbarities.
BAToUM, may .-4fternoon.-The Russians
in the vicinity Of Tchurukson sacked and burnt
all the villages and massacred the women, old
men and children.
Ardahan Captured.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 19.-The following
official account of the battle of Arabian is
Duke Michael:
The outworks of Arabian, its Notifications,
citadel of sixty guns, immense stores of provis-
| ions and ammunition and the camp formerly
occupied by fourteen battalions of Turks, lie at
the feet of the Gar. The troops are full of en-
thusiasm. Our loss is believed to be one officer
and so soldiers killed, and 4 officers and 1870
soldiers wounded.
Russian Operations at Entoum.
LONDON, May 20.-The intelligence from
Titlis and Van illustrates the progress of events
in Asia Minor. The first attack on Batoum
was feint to cover operations on the other
side of the Kolova range. The Turks had
strong positions on the heights, south of the
river Choruk, which in turn was commanded
by force and field batteries on the nothern
slope of the Kolova, where it forms southern
boundary of the Choruk plain. The continual
ton of the Kolova chain forming the southern
and eastern boundaries of the Choruk plain is
called khatzubaEi. In order to shut in Batoum
on the land side it was necessary to GUST the
ftnn ifino fhn I'll IL
flank thsir position on the river heights lower
down. The Russians were unable to force
either position, but have succeeded in half
turning the Turkish position on the river by
occupying the Khatzubani heights. The next
battle will result either in occupation of the
lower Kolova, or in Their complete defeat Of the
Russians who will to then thrown back on
Osurgethi. But of this the Russians in Tifis
appear to have no fear. The movement is
regarded there as having been successful since
it is further step to the complete investment
of Batoum. 1t is said however that the
Russian commander exceeded instruction, and
it is not denied that the loss has been heavy
Each side carried off their dead and wounded.
Many of the latter have arrived at Osurgethi.
The Russian third or Erwan column has
arrived at Utchklessess, and the advance
guard pushed forward to near Jeranas and
Chamur, about half way between Bazaidi and
Erzeroum from Jeranas, a road leads to
KagismaD, which is also in the hands of
Russians; from Kagismar, AZ other road leads to
Getshevan on the southern route from Kars TO
Erzeroum. Thus east north and south of
kars the mountain passes and roads are in
Russian hands and one of the outlets of these
passes with the means of its defence namely
Arabian on the north has been captured by
them The Turks still hold the positions of
Getshevan and Delimusa on the southwest.
A detachment of Russians has arrived at
ARMS on Lake Van, and it is believed there
will be an advance of a column directed againsl
Melaskert on the Euphrates south of Jeranas.
There are on the other hand a large number of
Kurds congregating at Bittis and Diarbekir,
but all are mserably armed and wretchedly
mounted. From this it would seem the centre
advance of the Russians around and before
hars is bling held back whilst the right and
lett wings are pushed forward with the inten-
ton of outflankng Monkhtar Pasha's position
at the south of Bardez, but the roads and
weather are bad and the advance pIopolt ton
ately SLOW
Turkish Successes
| CoNsTANTINoPLE, May 20.-The official bull
letn announces that the Turksh forces operat-
ing near Sukum-Kaleh were attacked by 500
Russians near Siel. The Turks completely an
initiated company of Corsacks. They took
Eve persons besides some arms and provisions
Fighting continues. The feet has destroyed
Bourgdjardjare.
The Russians lost 800 killed and wounded in
the skirmish near KaTs.
There is some anxiety felt here as to whether
the Sukum-Kaleh expedition will succeed in
tracing an instruction in the Caucasus. Eight