The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-05
THE WAR IN ASIA.
strategic Points and T0rtrssses-The
Probable Route of the Russian Adj
vOmne
IN. Y. Times.1

IN. Y. Times.1
PARIS, Monday, April 1e.-The last
reliable news that we have from the
seat OF war leads US to suppose that the
first shock between the Russian and
Ottoman armies will be upon the Asia
tic side. The army which the Turks
have concentrated between Erzroum
and the frontier Is reported to be $4,000
strong. and provided with excellent. ar
tillery. Opposite them the Russians
have concentrated force OF nearly
equal strength, but composed Of irregu-
lar troops in the main. The avant-guard
consists of three brigades of infantry,
Cossacks from about the Caspian Sea,
six batteries OF ordinary rifled field
pieces, and four batteries Of mountain
howitzers.
The Russian frontier In Asia, which
separates Turkish Armenia from Min
grelia, is not very favorable for offensive
operations. There are mountains and
deep gorges, and long ranges OF table
lands stretching away to the boundaries
of Persia. Upon the Turkish side there
are four ranges OF mountains, running
in nearly parallel lines. Such Q coun-
try can only be traversed by the or
dinary roads, all of which converge
toward Erzroum, and it is in the vicinity
of this place that the first encounter
must take place. Its exceptional posi-
ton renders Erzroum strategic point
Of the first importance. It is q town OF
some 80. 600 inhabitants. Comprehend
ing the value Of such o place in case
Of an attack from the. Russian
side, the Turks have carefully and sci
entifically fortified the town, filling 1t
with provisions and munitions OF wa war:
The principal roads to IL are |. That
passing by Ardahan, Olti, and Mari
man. having small Turkish fortress at
4 the former place. 2. That from Tifiis
4 by Alexandropol and Kars, barred by
the fortress Of the latter town. 8. That
from Erivan by Bajazid. The latter
route is unfortifed, but upon the former
the Russians have to encounter the
Notifications of Ardahan and Kars.
The military operations about to begin
are evident, and every military man will
predict march OF three detachments,
the larger force going by Kars.
slams, the first shots will be exchanged
In the vicinity OF Kars and Bajazid, and
historic battles will be fought over
! again. The objective point is naturally
Erzroum. But the unexpected action OF
Persia may modify the plan OF the cam
paign, for the Turks cannot hold Err
roum IL they are to have Persian
army upon their flank. There Il no
longer a doubt about the treaty
Of alliance between Russia and
Persia, for the latter country
has sent formal demand to the Porte
, for the return OF Bagdad. The proven
bal golidity of the Turks In the defense
, of their fortified places. the extensive
preparato,nnsd they fbe haE9 on maa1 a hpas ahs
nffIcerg. leads one to think that the
: Russians will not have an easy task be-
3 fore them, and that, IL the war has tt
, begin by a siege Of Kars and Brzroum
, | it may be terminated by a treaty be,
q fore these towns have fallen. or course
!, matters will be considerably complica
ted If the Persians actually. enter tht
field at once, or If the Russians decide
upon a quick campaign by way OF Rou
4 mania and the Principalities.