Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-10-19
From the n. Y. Tribune.
MOVemenfs In the East.

We cannot interpret the recent
movements. OF rumors thereof, III
Armenia as we'll as Bulgaria, as IN
dicating more, than the strategy pre-
scrIUeu 40 both combatants, in order
TO secure strong positions for Win
ter-quarters. The Grand Duke
Michael's attack on Mukhtar Pasha
was made in the hope of crushing
the resistance of the latter at one
blow, aud effecting a Judgement in
kars. But it seems to have been as
decided failure as the attempts to
storm Plevna, aud for the same rea-
sons-the inefficlency of artillery
against trenches, and the efficiency
OF breech-loading rifles against attack
IN front. The Turkish estimate OF
the Russian losses is probably much
exaggerated, out since the Grand
DuEe has fallen back to the frontier,
and the severe Winter OF Armenia
is already creeping down the noun
tainsides, we may take it for grant
ed that Kars is safe until next Spring
In fact, the Russians would gam iIt-
tie, so near the close of the season
Inv the possession of that single point.
The disastrous campaign in Arme-
MIA seems to be at all end.
From Bulgaria, we now hear more
from the Turkish than from the
Russian side. The giving of Me
hemet Ais command to Sulelman
Pasha, the Council of Generals at
Shumla, and the appearance of Chef
ket Pasha with a considerable re-
serve force IN the rear of PleVna,
all point to the immediate strength
ening of both Turkish lines, IN an
ticipation of further attacks before
the close of the season during the
Winter. By this time the Russian
armies must be reinforced by the
Guard, and by large portion of the
three modified crops; and there is
no better preparation for the Winter
both as regards the armies and the
Empire itself, than victory. An
additional defeat, now, would be an
incalculable misfortune; hence, the
caution, the delay, the restriction up
on correspondents. But it will be
difficult to make any movement in
force without epcountering Turk
ish army in a s. ong position. The
Moslem generals or engineers have
admirable typographical eyes, and
their soldiers improvise lines of de-
Tense with an energy worthy of Ang-
lo-Saxons. 1t is clear that they expect
an advance of the army of the
Czarewitch toward the Lom, on the
None side, and an attempt to cut off
Plevna on the other. The coopera-
tion of Chefket with Osman Pasha
will not evacuate Plevna, except for
the purpose of occupying another
position equally strong, with Wid-
din and Sophia as his bases.
The most, therefore, which the
Russians may be able to accom-
plish will be to extend their lines In
Bulgaria, and then to hold them un
til Spring. 1t is almost like fatah-
ty, that a phenomenal Winter should
follow upon the heels of such deplor-
able strategy; the stars in their
courses fight blunderers. Snow in
Constantinople on Monday-snow
on the cypress and myrtle; storms
in the interior, and frost and rain
threatening the bridges on the Dan
ube! The mud of Bulgaria is equal
in depth and tenacity to that of Vir-
ginia, and sudden cold transforms
it as rapidly into iron. This is an
obstacle which the Russians, aceus-
toned to a long, solid Winter, and
an instantaneous Spring, will find
particularly annoying; and the good
roads that might haye been made
are not only lacking, but the bad
ones have not even been supplied
with good bridges. The Turkish
soldiers are seasoned to mud, and
their march is lighter; they will be
able to concentrate more rapidly up
on threatened points, or, if pressed
back, to take new positions. After
the unexpected skill and success
with which they have carried on
the struggle, thus far, they ought,
certainly, to be able to hold the lines
of the LON and the Wild, or adjacent
lines, during the coming Winter.