New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-21
THE CAMPAIGN IN ASIA MINOR.


THE TURKISH GARBISoN-GUNs AND STORES
LIFT With THE vICTORs
ST. PETERSBURG, May 20, 1877.
The following is the official account of the battle
~ Arabian telegraphed by Gen. Melikoh to the
Grand Duke Michael:
"Tbe outworks of Arabian, its Notifications citi-
dal. 90 guns immense stores of provisions and am
rnuuition and the camp formerly occupied by IA
bsttalions of Turks lie at the feet of the Gar On
Thursday, May II, the admirable fire OF our aIlil-
lery between three and six o'clock in the afternoon
made a breach in the walls At six o'clock the Ell
van. This and Baku regiments, and the sappers al
yanced to the assault The enemy could not WITH
stand the onslaught and fled, leaving great mum
Der Of dead. AT nine o'clock our troops tTaversed
the whole town and Notifications, the bands play
ing the national anthem. The troops are full OF
enthusiasm Our loss is believed to be one officer
and so soldiers killed, four officers and lSo
wounded / cannot find sufficient words OF praise
for the courage and GOODNESS of our young soldiers
or for the good disposition of the troops made by
the officers. A solemn service will be held at the
central point of the Notifications"
THE TURKISH VERSION or THE ARABIAN AFFAIR.
LONDON. May 20, 1877.
A Reuter- telegram, dated Erzerum, May 10, states
that on FRIDAY, the 18th inst, two attacks on the
Turkish position at Arabian were repulsed along the
the offensive The Russians have since cut the tele-
graph wires and no further has been received.
THE MILITARY SITUATION OUTLINED
LONDON, May 20. 1877.
The intelligence from Tihis and Van illustrates
the progress of events in Asia Minor. The first at
tack on Batum was a feiut to cover operations on
tho other side Of the Koloya range. The Turks had
strong position on the nights south of the River
Tscharuk, which in turn was commanded by force
and field batteries the northern slope OF the kooVa
where il forms the southern boundary Of the Choruk
Plain. The continuation of the kOloya chain, form
ing the southern and eastern boundary OF the Cho-
ruk Plain. is called Khatzubani. In order to quite
shut in Batum on the land side it was
necessary to GUST the Turks from their
position. on the Koloya so as to flank their position
Oh the river nights lower down. The Russians were
unable TO force either position, but have succeeded
in half turning the Turkish position on the river by
occupyinQ the Khatzubani flights. The next battle
will result either in the occupation Of the lower
Kolova or in the complete defeat of the Russians
who will be thrown back on Osurgeth, but OF this
the Russians in Tihis appear to have no fear. The
movement is regarded there as having been success
ful since it Is a further step to the complete invest
Incut of Batum. Ii is said, however, that the Nus
sian commander exceeded hs instructions, and 1t Is
not denied that the losses have been heavy Each
Of the latter have arrived at Osurgethi
KARs HFMMED n BY RUSSIANS.
The Russian third OF Erwan column has arrived
at Utchkelisse lsee mapl and an advanced guard
pushed forward to near JeranOs and Chamur, about
half way between Bayazid and Erzerum. From
Jerauos road leads across the Agry range to kags-
man. which is also in the hands of the Russians.
From Kagsman another road leads to Getshevan on
the southern route from Kars TO Erzerum. Thus
east north. and south Of Kars the mountain passes
and roads are m Russian hands, and one of the out
lets Of these passes to the Kars district with the
means Of its defense, namely, Arabian, on the
north. has Just been captured by them. The
Turks still hold the positions of Getsheven and Deb
Busa on the south and southwest.
detachment Of Russians has arrived at ARMS on
Lake Van, aud is beloved to be the advance guard
of a column directed against Melaskert, the
Euphrates, south of Jcranos. There are on the
OTHER hand a large number Of Kurds congegating
Of Bits and D.aTbckir; hut all are mscrably
armed and wretchedly mounted. From all THIS 1t
would seem that the center advance of the Russians
arpul AMI before Kafs is being held back, while
tie right and left wings are being pushed forward
with the intention of Out1anking Mukhtar Pasba'7
position 40 and south Of Bardess la place between
Dell Mu.a and Kars but the roads and weather axe
bad and the advance proportionally slow
INCIDENTS or TIE CAMPAIGN.
C1ustautiuoplc telegram says the Russians lost
500 killed and wounded IN the skirmsh near kars.
The Daly Nersg special from Erzerum reports
that "the Russians are commencing investment
operations az Kar." This news IS confirmed by an
other dispatch f.om Erzerum. the Russian neadquar-
Ter. being at Kaschlk.
Adi,p.,cb from latam says the Russians in tie
vicinity Of Tcburukson lave sacked and hGrucd
al .be Villages, and massacrcd the women, old men,
and chl .rcn.
Reuters telegram from Ezerum May is says;
Communication is becoming difficult. The wires
10 kar, are broken Tie Russians maintain then
positions iu ibe ucighborhood oil kars. a batue is
expected shortly"
4 B5yaHd telegram saws: "The Turks at Van
compelled thr left wing OF the Russians 10 fan back
o. Ipeck on the borders of Ottoman territory"