New-York tribune., 1877-06-11
TpF DEFENSE OF ERZERUM.


uuKHTAR PAsHA IN STRONGER PosiHoN-A
cps.T RATTLE PROBABLE--FAIR PROSPECTS OF
RUSSIAN SUCCESS. - ,o--
To ,be movements on the Asiatic side recorded
las, week. which showed that the Russian center
and right wing had joined hands and advanced, the
farmer ON the passes of the SOghanu Mountains,
and the latter on Olti and along the ChOruk Valley,
,here must now he added the fact that the Russian
center has obtained communication with the left
wing so that the eastern heads of the passes be-
txeen the Soghanlu and Kiretch ranges near Mid
sinner lMidschingeril are already in their hands,
. Mukh Pasha having withdrawn from his position
between Olti and BaTdess aud taken up fresh line
between K6prik6i and IIassau-Kaleh. Mukhtar
ba. thereby improved his position if he has suili-
eiept force north of Erzerum to check the advance
of the Russian right wing. This however, is very
doubtful especially his position at Kyliy, labout
80 miles southwest of Erzeruml south Of the
Araxes, is threatened by the extreme left of the
Russian left wing portion Of the Russian
left was detached at Jeranos, probably
with the desire 10 turn Mukhtar's strong
poson al K0prik0 on the ATaxes Tor Aras), for the
descent from Soghanlu, through the passes leading
down to the valley of the Araxes, is steep and diff
emit as indeed is also the descent from the Kasber
range to Kylly which is about half an 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 Erzerum, the
plain of Araxes will be the scene of sanguinary
battle.
The great length of the Russian lines of commu-
nicatiOn with the two fairly garrsOned tortresses OF
Kars aud Batum in their rear, necesstates great
caution on their part, because if the Turks had
sufficient enterprise available forces, they would
long since have sent arge reGnfoTcements by sea to
Batum. and endeavOred 10 break through the circle
which the Ru ssian Rion corps has been forming on
the nights around the land side of that town. A
vigorous effort ia this direction might yet save
Erzerum The Turks appear to be becoming hastily
aware Of this fact, and some reGnforcements have
been ordered TO Batum. But efforts in this direction
do not appear very serious.
TIE TURKS ABOUT TO ATTACK THE RUSSIANS
Reuters latest dispatch from Erzerum, dated Fri
day June s., says the Turkish headquarters with
battalions of infantry l13300 menl, two batteries,
and 500 Kurdish cavalry is established near Ze-
win. The Turks hold strong positions, commanding
the Zewin road. Their prospects appear to be i'm
proved. 1t is believed that Mukhtar Pasha
contempates attacking the Russian right wing IN
three separate columns operating from Zewln Er-
Eerum, and another point
Teegrams from COnstantinOple and ETzerum June
G, report that Russian force from Arabian had
reached Ardanudsch about 80 miles TO the south
west of the former city. The Governor and 5000
Of the garrison of Arabian have reached Erzerum
The Governor VIII be coNrt-martialed There has
been skrmsh with the advance of the Russian
night wing near hartman, II miles southwest of
Olh Mukhtar Pasha has sent a force to cut the
communication of the Russian right and centre. He
telegTaphed from Erzerum June 81 that the Rus
SLAMS have retreated from Olt 10 Pennek 10 miles
10 the northeast There had been no engagement
Reuter- telegram fTem ConstantinoDle, dated Sat
urday afternoon. conflicts with the foregoing, mas
much as il says the latest dispatches from Erzerum
state that the Russians continue their advance
Mukhtar Pasha has drawn closer TO Erzerum, where
battle appears imminent There is no news from
Kars.