The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-20
The Gear in Person to Give the
Order to Advance.
THE CAPTURE OF SOOKGOOM-KALE
England's War Feeling and
Preparations.
ATTITUDE OF THE OTHER POWERS



LONDON May 10. 1877.
While the movements Of the Russian army taking
up position In Roumania along the left bank Of the
Danube are naturally watched with the greatest
interest," 1t must not be forgotten the present
theatre OF actual hostilties Is in Asia,
both on Turkish and Russian SOIL
The forward movement across the Danube
is for the mopent delayed by the determination OF
the Russian commander to have at least 100000
men in position along the river, with stores
Of all kinds, before the invasion OF Bull
gara is defnitively ordered. These conditions
are being rapidly fulfilled, but it may
take q week at least to have everything
ready. The most important news from Asia Minor
Is that of the fall OF Arabian. This fortified town.
lying close to the Russian frontier, has cost the
army OF the Gear some effort, at least two at
tacks in force were made upon 1t, both Of which
were repused, before the final assault which gave
it to the Muscovites. A st. Petersburg despatch
makes the announcement Of this important victory
sersely as follows :
THE CAPTURE OF ARABIAN.
'The Russians have taken Ardahan, with sixty
guns and large quantities of stores The Russians
lost 235 men. The Turks ned.'
Turkish despatch from Erzeroum states that
the Russians after repulse along the whole line
in the morning resumed the offensive in the alter
noon, when telegraphic communication ceased
The news had gone far enough for Turkish feelings
BY this successful operation probably 10000
a
road to Nevisollnk and roll up the left flank OF
Mukhtar Pacha's forces In the Soughau Mountains.
1t AZ 3certatn that Kars has not yet fallen,
but the Russians assert and the Turks
admit that the Muscovlte forces maintain
their positions in front OF the town. The
Russians recently made reconnaissance in force
and partial bombarlment continues. despatch
from Erzeroum reports that regular investment
OF Kars Is taking place, ana great battle is shortly
expected. Telegraphic communication with Kars
interrupted and communication OF any kind Is
extremely difficult. The Russian headquarters
ct Kuschik The Turks at Van compelled the left
wing OF the Russians to fall back on Peek on the
borders OF Ottoman territory
A despatch from Batoum dated yesterday after
noon shakes Its CORY locks apocryphally, to the
effect that the Russians In the vicinity OF Tchuruk
son have sacked and burned all the villages and
massacred the women, old men and children.
THE TURKISH SUCCESSFUL sooKGooM-KALE.
1t IS officially announced ut St Petersburg that
the Turks have bombarded Sookg ale again and
burned the town, which was consequently evacu-
ntcd. APera despatch says:-"Fazli Pacha has been
named commander of Sookgoom Kale, and left
Shumls yesterday He is very energetic" The
correspondent adds:--'I witnessed yesterday the
embarkation OF ten battalions OF troops, accom-
panied by batteries OF artillery, for Asia"
The Sultan has addressed proclamation to the
troops sent to the Caucasus saying he lntrusts to
them the mission OF delivering their Crcassian CO.
regionists from Russian domination.
The Caucasian insurgents are fortifyng their
mountainous and almost inaccessible strongnolds.
Reinforcements amounting to 10000 men have been
ordered TO the Caucasus from Central Asia.
THE RUSSIAN RIGHT on THE DANUBE.
Vienna correspondent says
"For some time movement, on large SCALE OF
Russian troops westward has been observed, which
was supposed To be directed TO Smnitza ana Turlu-
Magureil, which seemed to reveal an intention OF
crossing there with one column TO operate in the
rear Of the Turkish positions OF Rustchuk,
Silistria, Shuma and Varna, or else
toward TIrnova and the Balkan passes.
As FAR az trustworthy intelligence goes the Rus
SANS do not seem to have gone much further west.
ward than Siatlna, on the Auta, and Korbu from
which there IL a fair road down to the Danube at
Tnrnu-Magure and Simnitza. II Is rumored thata
portion OF the troops which arrived at slatina
destined for Krajova and Turnsevrein to act with
the Roumanlan army corps already assembled there.
This agrees with the report that the Russian Am
bassador at Vienna had been instructed to explain
the necessity imposed on the Russian commander
OF operating beyond the Alu,a, which was the
boundary agreed upon between the two
governments, beyond which the Russian
right wing was not to extend toward the frontier
OF Austria. This report, II true, only shows how
utterly illusory 1t Is to trace lines OF demarcaton
FOR military operations the exigencics or which
cannot be foreseen Thus the Russians could
scarcely be expected to adhere to the line OF the
Alnta. II the Turks carried out the Oft repeated
design or entering Roumania from Wnidin,
and just now IL IS rumorcd that the Turks pre-
pairing to cross at Florentn, 10 the north OF Wild
din, n successful crossing there would endanger
communications with Kala.at especially by railway
TO the north. II the Russians really carry out the
design attributed to them OF operating In Little
Wallachia, 1t would indirectly confirm the report
that considerable endorsements are coming up,
aud that the Russian army on the pannhe
will be increased to eight army corps--that Is, to
double what IL Is at present Besides the four
army corps forming the first line, another origin.
Ally destined Tor the defence Of the south coast Is