New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-16

and the Turks have now got the cannon over the
first high mountain and part of them nave reached
Baiburt, while the remainder fifteen miles fur
Their back. The present prospect is that they will
not reach here in time for use in this campaign.
The Russians are making progress on all hands.
The Turks have fallen back from the Soughanlu
Mountain range and are now holding on at hhor-
assam, their line extending on as far as kuprkoi,
within twenty seven miles Of this place. The Russ
slams are probably on this side of the mountain.
Though there has been no regular battle in these
parts as yet, still some skrmishing and important
surprises have occurred. Some irregular cannonad-
ing has taken place near Kars, though with no very
serious result Six or eight men fell on the Turkish
side, and the Turks say 800 on the Russian, though
do not credit the statement, rs the authors OF 1t
withdrew too soon to learn the facts. The Turks
have not made bold stand, and they are outnum-
bered by the Russians. How much they will accom-
plish is matter of much doubt. Their army is al
ready getting badly demoralized and dsheartened
from constant retreat and lack of proper supplies
As have limited above the most of the cannon des-
tined for these well-madc earthworks are halfway
distant the road to TrebizCnd, and cannot there
fore avail much for the present emergency Besides,
it looks very much as though part of the trium-
plant right wing of the Russian Army that has now
taken Arabian is making its way up the Choruk
the cannon altogether perhaps cutting off commune
cation with the Black Sea by direct road 1t is cur
renty reported that they have reached lspir, not
more than twelve hours from Baiburt at most lie
that as it may the other part of the wing has moved
in a line towards this place, captured Ott, and may
now wheel to the eastward to help the main army in
case heavy battle takes place on the Passin Plain,
which must be before long if the Turks do not fall
back on this city.
All communication with Kars is cut off, and we
know not its fate Report has it that the place has
surrendered, but people do not credit It, An impor-
tant event has taken place in front of Kars, which
may arrest the attention of consergative Engshmen
who were slow to believe statements regarding
the late massacre in Bulgaria. For weeks Circas-
slams have been passing this way en- route for the
front. Wherever found they are fierce, blood
thirsty race. They constitute cavalry force. and
are armed 10 the teeth In all these parts wherever
they moved, they caused terror. SO defiant were
they III the markets and before the Government that
the latter had difficulty in urging them forward
Theft, plumber and murder were in the category of
their crimes. They going to give no quarter to
the Russians, they said, and many boldly made
threats of what they should DO to Christians on their
return. They went up but not to return. Once at
the front they gave Mukhtar Pasha much trouble.
They were FESTIVE, fault-iudiug aud dissatisfied
generally, that rebellion in the ranks feared
Finally nc yielded to their request and let them push
on to join the forces at Kars. The last night they
quartered themselves at large Christian village
some twelve miles from the city. In the morning
they awoke to find themselves surrounded by the
Russians. They turned upon the Christians, claim
ing they had given Of their presence in the vii
lage to the Russians. They killed few, upon winch
the Russians let loose them and of the 800 not
more than 400 and some say not even that, made
their escape. Thus the vengeance which they had
plotted for others returned in a terrible blow on
their own heads 1t caused great rejoicing among
Christians this way, who had been so inundated
by their threats and actual violence The Govern
ment in many parts seems powerless to Withstand
and restrain crime We only pray that the blow,
though staggering, may be decisive and of short
Duration