The Portland daily press., 1877-05-14
TRE AsIATEC CAMPAIGN.
The Russians Preparing for a Move or
ErZerOum,


ErZer0um.
LONDON, May ia Vienna despatch SAYS
according to the latest kilograms from Asia
Minor all seem in state of preparation for a
concentrated movement on Erzeroum. The
Russians still seems to De feeling their way.
Possibly at the last moment some doubt may
come over them as to the whether it would be
advisable to leave Kars and Arabian in the
rear, merely investing them with a corps of
observation, thus weakening their field army
too much. The coup de main with field guns
at Kars not having succeeded, they may now
try to reduce Arabian, against which, accord
ing to Intelligence from Tits, serious operations
are now impending, so as to have at least their
rear in that direction protected.
There must doubtless also be difficulty of
transport In that mountainous country, but
whatever is the cause, delay can only be of ad-
vantage to the Turks if they use it for concen-
tratipg their force in the right place and know
how to use it afterwards Meantime if the
Tanks, as would appear from official Russian
kilograms, can send out soldiers and horsemen
and even guns, to form an ambuscade for Rus.
sian accommodating parties, the fortress of
Kars, from which they are said to have come
cannot be SO very closely invested
A despatch from Jassy yesterday says the
house which in few days Nicholas will occu-
by at Ploiesti has been hired for whole wear.
This relatively long term has given rise to
much political comment.
evening, says there has been no serious engage
ment since the battle of Tchurukscha, but
every day the Bashi-Bazouk rif1emen fire upon
the Russian outposts, inflicting consid cradle
loss.
Turkish Victory ut Batoum.
An official Constantinople despatch says the
RusslaDS having attacked on Friday in great
force the position occupied by the vanguard of
the Turkish auxiliary troops in the vicinity of
Batoum, an engagement ensued, lasting eight
and half hours, resulting in the complete
rout of the Russians who lost 1900 men, The
Turkish loss was uncomfortable.
TIFLIs, May 12.-The Russian Gen. Tergou-
kassotf occupied Diadin on the Sth.
The Russians Advancing in Two Lines.
LONDON, May 13.-There seems to be two
distinct movements progressing in Asia Minor.
One IS an advance upon Erzer0um with opera
tons about Kars as incident thereto the other
IS movement upon Van and Bitlis which will
be the base OF further operations against Dior
bekir. Van and Bitlis are slightly fortified aud
dominated by heights, which in the case of
Van are traVersed by comparatively good and
stronger appearance, but can offer no serious
opposition. The force of the Turks in this
district is unknown. If they have 10000 or
5000 men they might make a successful stand
at the entrance of the pass through which a
good road leads from Ritlis to Diorbekir.
Turkish Accounts of the Situation.
ERzERoUM, May 13.-The Russians have
sent forward accommodating parties in two
directions from Saghaule probably with an
object of making flank attack upon the
Turkish camp at Bardez, but owing to the
depth of the snow were unable to prosecute the
plan. Turkish reinforcements continue
arriving on large scale. There is scarcity of
provisions at Alexandropol and Ernan.
Telegraphic communication with Kars con.
tinues. Russians endeavored to obtain in
formation by tapping the wires but were
Immediately discovered by their questions.
Inhabitants of Erzeroum are contributing
defense of Kars.