The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-23
THE GRAND STRUGGLE AT HAND.
Turkish Activity on the Black Ssa---Ca1lyins
The War Into Russian Territory
OPERATIONS IN ASIA,
Roumania, Serva and Greece Preparing
for the Ordeal Of Battle.
WAR PREPARATIONS IN ENGLAND


lBY CABLE TO THE HERALD
LONDON, May %, 1877.
Prom the news which comes from the east this
morning it is evident that operations OF decisive
charact ter ana on an extensive scale are close ct
hand. The Russians are pushing their prep.
aratons for the passage OF the Danube with
vigor which shows that they do not
underestimate the opposition they will meet with
from the Ottoman forces. The Turks, on the other
hand, are displaying great energy on the Black
Sea coast and are evidently determined to give the
Russians plenty OF occupation on their own terri
tory and to stir up revolt among the dsafected Mo-
hammedan subjects OF the Gear. From Asia we hear
OF Kurds and Bashi Bazouks hurryIng to swell the
Turkish ranks, while Roumana and Greece are
daily assuming . more warke attitude On all
sides. therefore, the news would seem to indicate
the near approach Of CONNECT that will decide the
conditions on which the struggle Is to be continued
PREPARING FOR THE PASSAGE OF DANUBE.
Rustchuck despatch, dated Monday, says:-Great
preparations being made by the Russians for an
attempt to pass the river between Rahova and Mix
opoIis They have brought down by rail to the bank
pontoon bridges and small steamers, and are erecting
large fortifcatons at Islatz ana Turnu-MagurelL
Continual concentration Of troops in the direction
OF smnitza is observable. Tho Turks are fully pre-
pared to resist the attempt. despatch from Turtu-
ka. Monday evening" reports that forty-two Russian
battalions. three batteries Of artillery and some
avalry have just arrived the OPP
posite side of the river at OItenitzaL
An attack lie expected. Galatz special
OF the same date. Yesterday the Russians, crossing
in Ibra Ghiacet, burned the latter place
The Russians havo dsmounted their Barbosch fortn-
cations considering them Of further use, as from
Ibrail REM the river is sufficiently protected BY
strong batteries and torpedocs. a
All indications betoKen that tho Russians making
4 serious movement on Western Bulgaria. The Danube
rose nine inches between Sunday and Monday.
THE RUSSIAN BLACK COAST THREATENED
An odessa letter in the Political Correspondence states
that the military OF the south coast has
taken measures to defend Odessa against coup de
main by concentrating there force Of three brigadca
OF infantry eight sotnias of Cossacks and six squad
rons OF light cavalry The Thirteenth corps darmae
is to be employed in the defence Of the coast line
| from Otchakof to Alderman. According to Signals
| of the coast guard Odessa seems less threatened
| than Otchakon. Great care has been bestowed Of
late this fortress, which. with the works at Kin
burn, protects the entrance 70 the bay and mouths
! o. the Dneper, and consequently Nikolaef the
| only shipbuilding place thereabouts since tho
destruction of SebastopoL For days past Turk
ish vessels have been cruising there, seemingly
| with troops on board. Great stores OF provisions
and ammunition accumulated at Nkolaicn, and
| In the event of tho Turks rendering the
otchskor torpedoes harmless, only these stores
shipbuildng yard but also Kherson and other
| great towns the Dneper basin would be open to
| them. The Turkish squadron, consisting OF two
monitors, three ron-cad frirates several small vessels
and a whole hotia OF barks supposed to have volun-
| teers board, cruising about in the waters
| of Sebastopol and Eupatoria
! CARRYING THE WAR INTO RUSSIAN TERRITORY.
| It is reported this fleet will not be satisfied with
bombarding places on the coast but also means to
excite an insurrectionary movement In the Crimea
II be denied that the spirit beginning show
itself in the population Is not calculated TO inspire
| Tnuch confidence The south coast Of the Crimoa
| is almost entirely occupied by Mohammedans.
| telegram from st. Petersburg says:-A despatch
| dated Solschi, Tuesday, reports that the Turks
| attacked the Russian position at Adler A severely
contested engagement cnsued. Turkish man-ofwar
has been Violently bombardng Adler since ton o'clock
| Tuesday morning.
| THE CAMPAIGN IN ASIA.
The intelligence comes from Erzeroum that the
| In ~ tha nj Avdnh bova
treated 10 Ardanudsch. Russian column has left
Kaglsman to reinforce tho central division before
Kars. st. Petersburg despatch says $500 Kurds,
| Il, 900 bash bazouks five infantry battalions ard
seven guns moving northward from Lake Van to
join the Turkish forces Kara-kalisa Tho Turkish
detachment which expected to attack Bajazid has
fallen back toward Lake Van. The body Of tho Turk
ish chief OF staff found among the slain at Arda-
han. despatch from Constantinople received
| last night says that since tho capture of Ar
dahan the Russians appear to be preparing for
| a vigorous attack Kars. A later despatch from
Erzeroum reports that the Russian has driven
the Turks from their positions at Karadrhcuran vii
lags near Kars
che Abchasans are 10 full insurrection. Arms have
been distributed 10 them. Tho Sultan has ordered the
purchase OF 20 600 revolvcrs be paid for from bis
private purse. for distribution in the Caucasus.
EFFECTS OF the VICTORY ARDAHAS.
vienna correspondent remarks that the fall OF Ar
dnhun besides securing TO the Russians their position
before Ksrs, opens out new line Of
operations either against Kars Erzeroum.
The Council OF Ministers at Constantinopls
on Sunday determined to send all reiniorccments
stll arriving in Constantinople to Batoum and Err
zcroum. The authorities at Constantinopo seem to
overlook The TACT that these troops In making their
way to Kars or Erzeroum, would have to break
through the Russian division barring the way at the
Tschuruksou. Indeed, the advance OF the Russians
against Batoum seems to have been undertaken with
he aim OF locking up there thrty-four battaions OF
Turks, preventing them or any other renforcoments