New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-22
THE CAMPAIGN IN ASIA MINOR.
.ppABAN OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO TIE RUSSIANS
A RUSSIAN ATTACK OK KABs REFUSED.


"A RUSSIAN ATTACK on RARs REFUSED
LONDON, Monday, May q, 1877.
Referring to the fall Of Arabian, the Vienna cor
,pspopdent Of The Times says; Arabian, like all
other old ctadels on the Asiatic frontier, sur
rounded by nights commanding it, within easy'ar-
tllcrv range. These lights had been fortified, but
when they were once taken-as seems to have
oeen the case at Ardaban-the fortress itself would
become uutenable so the Turks did the best they
could, namely to withdraw the garrison OF
eleven battalOns and effect junction with
Mukhtar Pasha in the direction OF En-
zerum. The danger is that the Russians III
the nechborhood of Kars may wayay the re-
treating forces if they attempt to pass that way Dut
there is another and much more difficult mountain
road through the valley of the Kura TO the valley of
OH which the retreating Turks will probably take
ne ran u Arabian IS a considerable advantage
q me Russians. for besides opening line Of com
nunication with Achalzich, it Will enable the kus-
gans TO turn the force hitherto operating against
Arabian toward Kars, or to take part in a combined
operation against Erzerum."
The ErzeIum correspondent Of The telegraph tells
evidently all he could learn from the Turks
# the attack on Arabian. Teegrapmng on
Saturday-two days after its captrc-he says:
"Tbe efforts Of the Russians commenced with
heavy artillery fire, which was as holly
returned. This was followed by impetuous
infantry attacks. which were repulsed every time
with great slaughter. Under orders apparently to
obtain success somewhere or other at any cost the
troops were led back the assault after each failure
until night stopped the carnage
From Kars We have intelligence that yesterday
the Russians attacked the outer lines with furious
determination, having preceded their attempt 10y
heavy but ill-directed cannonade from the siege
rflt1 I'm
teres replied with better effect. The duel was Wig
orousIv maintained til the Russians brought up col
umus Of infantry as close as they dared to tie forth
fcations apparently purposing, if possible, to take
the place by storm. The Ottoman commander OBJ
serving this. drew together a large body of troops
behind the rampaus and launched a tremendous
sortie upon the Russian flank and rear, under the
shock Of which the enemy were obliged TO retreat
into a Instantaneous position. bloody engage
mcut followed at close quarters and at It's tcrmua-
ton the Russians were obliged to retreat beaten,
leaving upon the field 800 corpses and large NUM-
Der of wounded. There was a slight encounter
meantime between the cavalry, without any special
result'
Regarding the operations at Baum. The Iclc-
erapFs dispatch, dated Saturday morning says {:
"Thc Russian forces here after making a great
show Of wariEe intentions, yesterday contcutcd
themselves with harmless artillery duel. The fact
was, the enemy had sent off - battaous in the di-
yection Of Sukum-Kaeh, in the hope of arresting
the insu1rection which spread from that center.
The dcfenses of Batum are quite unimparCd, and
thcpositiou leaves nothing to desire. The issue OF
the next assault is looked upon as pretty certain
victory for the Sultan"
ST. PETERSBURG, Monday, May q, 1877
Tie Russians captured at Arabian a Turkish
Pssha and - canDons including two eight-inch and
auuuIber of smaller kTupps.
LONDON, Tuesday May %, 1877
Tic Standards s.. Petersburg telegram says the
bodies Of 500 Turks have been already buried at
Arabian.