Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-06-13
Review Of the Military Situation liz tie
East,
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION IN ASIA
AND ON THE DANUBE.


AND ON THE DANUBE.
LONDON. June 1Q.-To the move
ments on the Asiatic side recorded last
week, which showed that the Russian
centre and right wing had joined hands
and advanced, the former on the passes
Of the Soghanlu mountains and the
latter on Olti and along the Charuk
valley. there must now be added the
fact that the Russian centre has obtain
ed communication with the left wing,
so that the eastern heads Of the passes
between the Soghanlu and hiretch
ranges near Midshiner. are already in
their hands Mukhtar Pasha having
withdrawn from his position between
Olti and Bardez. and taken up & fresh
line between Kaprukoi and Hazzan
Kaleh, Nlukhta has thereby improved
his position if he has sufficient force
north Of Erzeroum to check the advance
ofthe Russian right wing. This, how
ever. is very doubtful, especially as his
position at Kylly, south Of the A'aTes,
is threatened by the extreme left G. TIC
Russian left wing.
4 portion of the Russian left was
detached at Jeranos, probably with the
desire to turn Mukhtars strong position
at Kaprukoi, on the Araxes. for the
descent from Soghanlu through the
passes leading down to the valley of
the Araxes is steep and difficult, as in
deed is also the descent from the Kasber
range to Kyllv, which is about half
hours march from the AraXes. IF the
Turks stand their ground, which they
can only do if they have sufficient men
guarding the northern approaches to
Erzeroum, the plain Of Araxes will be
the scene Of a singuinary battle.
The great length Of the. Russian lines
of communication, with the two fairly
gamisoned fortresscs Of Kars and
Batoum in their rear, necessltates grea.
caution on their part, because if the
Turks had sufficient enterprise or avail
able forces they would long since have
sent large achievements by sea to
Batouln and endeavored to break
through the circle which the Russian
Rion corps has been forming on the
heights around the land side of that
town. a vigorous effort in this direc-
ton might yet save Erzeroum.
The Turks appear to be becoming
hastily aware Of this fact, and some re-
Inducements have been ordered to
Batoum. But efforts in this direction
do not appear very serious.
The secret of the plan of Russian
operations on Danube has been well
kept. The few special correspondents
who are allowed to accompany the
Russian army are forbade undsr pain of
instant expulsion from camp to send
any details which might give a clue to
the Russian designs. and consequently
there has been little news from the
Russian side, where operations have
been confined to reconnaissance, by
which the Russians are being kept fully
posted in the disposition Of the Turkish
commanders. The same cannot be said
for the Turks. who see a regiment in
every Cossack and shut their eyes in
terror. They have not, like the
Russians, any friendly population to
assist thsm with information.
The disposition and state of prepare
ton of the opposing force lead to the
beliefthat there will be heavy cannonad-
ing all along the Danube, coupled with
raids and feints in various directions,
under cover Of which there will be
simultaneous attacks by the Russians in
force at Oltinitza, Rustchuk, Sistova
and Turum Magurelli, with diversions
at Kalafata and Ibrail. 1t is not pro-
bable that anything Of importance in
the way Of crossing in force will take
place for the next week. Whatever
may be the other points at which a
viii finally be attempted,
Rustchuk seems particularly unlikely
to be leftunmelesbed. as on the possess