New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-03

travelling. some of it very trying. There was not
day soldiers were not met, and quite often by the
hundred and the thousand. They were pushing
IN the seat of war; some in uniform and some in the
rude village dress of the various provinces. Our
party met also upwards of seventy cannon route,
which were not little difficult to pass with
wagon in many places. The road from this place to
ETzerum was completed some six DAYS since. 1t is a
very good skilfully laid ont, macadamized road of
fair width, and winds its way in graceful curves
two ranges of high mountains. 1t is the result,
however of European brain, though built by Turk
ish muscle and money. Ii is very important help
to trade at any time, and now as a military road for
bringing in munitions of war; soldiers, etc. is indis
pensable. However like anything else in Turkey.
il is left at loose ends, and much out OF repair,
thong wereable to make way on with no
serious accident.
But it was a hard task to transport those nice
Krupp cannon, some of which were large and very
heavy. In rough places some of the strong wheels
of the heavy wagons had brok en down under their
ponderous load, and the wreck left alone. Peo-
pie will be surprised to learn that such are the
straits of the Government rather its want OF COM
passion for its subjects, that men are compelled to
draw the cannon the whole part of the way to En-
zerum, in place of dumb beasts which do not happen
to be at hand. Tomorrow the shops in this cityare
to be closed and the able-bodied men take some
twenty cannon outtwelve miles at which point a relay
from those regions is to draw them on to another
stopping place. But worst of all did il seem TO see
the poor peasants tugging and painting to get
them up over Zivana Mountain, 1900 feet
high, when the road has average rise
of about one foot in II or II. Aud so things 20
in this land at the present time There is very little
of consideration mercy for Turkish subjects. and
especially the poor peasants.
| am to return TO Erzerum in few days, and will
see VIVA; forms the state of things may assume
1t is very evident that to see dark-very dark
times in this country, and that before long. In
many quarters starvation begins TO stare the poor
people i'll the face. SO great have been the demands
upOn them through repeated taxation and special
provision for the army. If wait till they begin
to die about before they appeal, many must perish
ere help can reach hands. all can lOp OF
from meager salaries Can do very little. We
have no money in hand, and may ere long, have to
make special appeals, the case in behalf of
Bulgaria
When 1 was in Erzerum there seemed little
doubt as 10 how the Eastern Question was to be
settled. Already the clash of arms had gone up
from these parts. For several months it has been
only too evident what the outcome of all this prepara
ton would ne. The Turks have exerted themselves
to the last degree anassng munitions of and
gathering the troops from far and near. 1t has been
an open Winter for the most part, which has
dered il favorable for pushing forward the soldiers
and they have been passing by hundreds and thou
sands for weeks and months. Now that the cam
paign has actually began, there is jul in that
direction for little, and not unfFequently
them coming back from the field of battle sick and
wounded with not few deSeTtcTs well. As TO
the extent of the fighting aud the amount of losses
we find it very hard to ascertain accurately; for,
into tbo ta4
that "1nany men have many minds" we must aduit
at once in this country and set it down that the
truth is nut far of. This is especially with refer
/ ence to turkish officials.
| And vet through the courtesy of'the English Con-
| sui at Erzerum, are enabled to get tolerably
Trustworthy reports from the front and the facts az
to the situation TO be the following, AS pertains
TO these parts: The Russians by the middle OF the
month had brought UP in readiness along the border
not fewer than 100 600 men, Of whom some $4,000
were cavalry. Tho Turks have 10000 with
which to meet then and are fastening reinforce
meutsnow as fast as possible. | should here state
that the Turks have gathered together the soldeTy
as few supposed they could. But most of them are
raw recruits ignorant in the extreme, and there is no
time to train them.
The Turkish Governments ruling passion at the
present time seems to be for arms. II ] were to
iudce from appearances, | should say that they
thougbt an array OF cannon, with plenty of we'll
armed men, was all that was needed to insure the
victory But fancy they will learn that brain is
ouitc "a important rs muscle and arms. The Turks,
from childhood, Injured TO hardship and exposure
ri avery sort SO thew are very well fitted for army
lfe in that respect and yet they ignorant OF
the laws of health that they cannot take care of
themselves. They will miss very much the English
officers. whose help they had in the last war
with Russia As | have said, they are not
lacking IN irst-class arms, to the credit Of
America be il said. for America furnished them
LARGELY. Many of the muskets are the Winchester
lConnl repeatng rifles, capable Of 10 rounds. Many
of the vell-known Krupp cannon are looking ont
from the circuit of earthworks about Erzerum, aud
scores more are Oh the bay.
But what Of all this, without the GOODNESS and
strategy Of efficient leaders Whether the LAT or can
be counted on remains to he for the most part
AS no serious engagement has taken place as yet.
The Russians made heirdebut the line at Gum
| RI some five weeks since The Turks marched forth
from Kars TO meet them, but, strange to say, fell
| back without r formal engagement to Zeniknoi,
! two days march towards ErZcrnn. There the main
army has made its stand under Ahmed Pasha as
comInander-in-chicf The Russians in strong force,
have eucamped near Kars cutting Off telegraphic
and other methods of communication, and by this
time. from all can learn, we suppose the city Is
under siege. This is a very strong place having in
the center of the town high blnf surmounted with
nlentv of guns that overlook the whole region The
Turks claim that their retreat feat OF strategy
IN set tran for the enemy They claim TO be laying
n pan TO swing around, attack the enemys confer III
the rem and thus cut off their retreat
Meanwhile. the Russians are content TO let them
nlot since they too have a similar plan on foot.
Tnov have strong right and left wings that nope u