New-York tribune., 1877-06-29
M1KHTAR PAsHAs MOVEMENTS.

BLUSDERs or TIE TURKISH GENEBAL-IHE RUS
SLAMS COMPELLED To FLANK THR TURKISH
POSITION oN MOUNT soGHANLU-rHE IRREGULAR
SOLDIERS IN EIZERUM-A DEMONSTRATIONS BY
THE s0FTAs.
lFRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
CONsTANTINOPLF June S.-Ahmed Mukhar Pasha,
who commands the Fourth Army Corps, arrived at
headquarters to assume command only about two
weeks before the outbreak of the war. He had
been year in herzegovina, and was removed from
that post in February to become Governor of Crete.
lie had Just begun 10 learn tbe trials OF Cretan
Governors when a new order sent him to the Fourth
Corps embracing all the troops the Russian from
tier Of Asiauc Turkey. OF course one must make
allowances for him under the circumstances. He
needed time TO collect his wits after his rapid
translation from pillar to post. Moreover he de-
clares that he was asked to make bricks without
straw as the War Office has made its greatest con-
ccrtrations on the Danube and left only small
force in Asia The Russian declaration of war
to be expected hourly, but the Turkish system
enoins trust in Providence without reference to
simultaneous care for the powder absolutely no
preparations were complete when actually came.
The fortress of Arabian known to be untena-
bic but the engineers had not time to fortify the
hill which made it 50. The fortress Of Bayazid, COW
ering the right flank of the Turkish line Of defense
was not garrisoned but was left TO take care OF
itself or the strength OF the promise Of KoOrdish
shief that hc would deliver 10000 men there if
war occurred. Hence the place was in the hands Of
the enemy before the KOoTdish chief heard that war
was declared. No prophcticai gilt enabled the Gov
ernor of Kars to see that he would have to suffer
siege, and therefore he did not begin to gather in
grain until after the country had been stripped by
the purchases of Russian contractors.
When the Russians crossed the border Mukhtar
Pasha was at Kars, but lie only beginning to
arrange his deplOyment and hs reserves were still
go miles away waiting for the actual war before
any final decision to the position they should
take up was reaci ed. When the declaration OF war
was known, a division of infantry marched rapidly
from Kars on Cilc road toward Alexandropol, to
watch and send in word when the Russians should
begin their advance, but the division came back at
the double-quick without stopping to draw breath,
and hard pressed by an overwhelming force of cav
alry to say that the advance of the enemy had be-
gun. The Russians struck out at the very outset 90
seize the passes in the rear of Kars, where the
Turks ought 10 have had troops weeks be-
fore There were none there, however, and Muktuar
pasha was forced 10 take 5000 men from The
army of Kars and race with the Russian cavalry
through the wind and the sleet The two columns
marched on parallel roads for six hours. IAe
Turks won the race by only very short time This
forced the Russians to take Ardahan at all costs FOR
these passes cannot he carried by assault IN front.
They lie in tine Soghanu Onion Mountains range OF
mountains (callod in the Russian dispatches "Sa-
conlunn" or Soqanlu.) These mountains draw all
fAe roads between Kars and Erzerum into two mar
row defles, only one of which IS practicable for
heavy trains and that one was made 60 by tht R"s-
slams themselves for military purposes years ago.
These deiles are like TbermOIele, and the Russians
have deep respect for them, having had 70 do With
them several times already. mukh'ar Pashh had
two weeks respite while the Russian attack on Ar
dahau was being made. But he did not turn sod
Ia strengthen has position III the passes nor did he
call up his reserves. lie simply lay still with ms
5000 men in the mud and the snow among
tho mountains, and waited the arrival Of another
division Of troops from Constantnogle which was To
protect his left flank. His men were suffering from
exposure and lack Of food. They bad our three
quarter ratons OF biscuit, no meat, and raw colieo
The Turkish religion impcls it, ' 80 inili airy
Life, bat 1orbids them the OF TIC ed' made ior