New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-09
TILE ASIATIC OPERATIONS.
GENERAL PROGRESS or THE MARCH on ERZEIUM-
THE RUSSIAN sTRATEGY-THE RELATIVE AD-


GENERAL PROGRESS or TIE MARCH on ERzERUM-
THE RUSSIAN sTRATEGY-THE RELATIVE AD-
YANTAGEs OF TIE BEILGERENrs.
The Russian line of march on EHerum, which
has been foreshadowed in these columns Tor several
days rendered apparent from the news Of yes
terday and to-day Dispatches have already announced
the advance OF the right wing Of the Russian army
through Geucs and Tchder. These districts are not
shown in the map but they in the country as
Batum Acha aud Arabian The purpose Of this move
meut il evidently 70 turn the Turkish second line OF de-
Tense which is south OF Kars and near Nj. Sog1nu.
Meanwhile the left wing which reached Bay by way
OF Mount Ararat from the north Few days ago. has
proceeded along Che road to Erzerum its purpose being
10 alarm the Turks for the safety Of that city The main
body of the Russian forces remains at the time
about Kars If that city with its garrison has been cap
tured as reported the army viii undoubtedly await the
movements of the right and Left wings before moving
mon Erzerum. These three branches of the Russian
army as Will be by reference TO the map IN their
march toward the Armenian capital, would naturally
meet somewhere in the vicinity OF Chorassan The main
and left wings would undoubtedly concentrate in this
way but should the right take the road from Arabian
10 O proceeding thence directly to Erzerum, it would
encounter the Turks at Olt News also comes that The
Turkish authorities at ErZerum are actively collecting
provisions and that the inhabitants are required to con-
tribute whatever they possess beyond the necessary
supplies for six hs subsistence At Trebzond large
warded 10 Er2erum.
II will be remembered that the first conflict IN Asia
was before Batum. where the Russians we're repulsed
Since then operations have apparently been suspended
though the army has seemed TO move in southeastery
direction as reported yesterday. 1t If therefore quite
clear that the Russians have little to remain before
Ratun and that the immediate object Of their move
,,epts ia elsewhere. Should Kars have capltulaed,
Frzcrum alone would occupy their attention, since the
cities on the coast would surrender were the cap
al to fall The position Of the left wing is also interest
inc II occupied Bayazd the 3Oth of April, that
Mace being 200 miles from Erzcrum' The Russian ae-
ornt NJ their occupation says the Turkish garrison re
tired IN sOuthwesery direction, leaving consider
a,le ouantity OF ammunition and provisions behind
ero Jbas been argued that this movement results rom
tr,tegv rather than neglect. Bayazd Is the frontier
town toward Persia, and has been CONSPICUOUS III
enc vars hetween Russia and Turkey. Ii is on the
great caravan road from labTH 10 ErLeruin "n''
rcbizond and its strong position relative TO the north
and east country has made the Turks particularly @o
Gus in f protection In s54 the only engagements WIN
Turkish troops in open field were lousht III 'ose
countries and the city not taken possession OF uh
the Russians had defeated their enemy uh"er Sein
Pasha on the 3Oth of July. At the time OF e RUSSIAN
occupation Of April 80 last, there were only lZoo Iurk
sb troops in the vicinity of Bayazd hut IL ProDaDe
they would have defended it were they not largely out
numbered by the Russians, whose powerful artillery
greatly augments their force.
Whatever the purposes OF the Turks may De- the iac'
remains that the Russian column Is attempting 10 ioree
ts way 10 Erzerum, leaving probably smaH iorce a.
R,vazid The army OF the Gar Ia, however Wldey
separated while the Turks concentrated al OF about