The New York herald., 1877-09-24
THE SIEGE OF KARS.

REMOVAL OF GENERAL LogIs MELIKoFF, AND
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WINTERS CAM
pAIaN-A BOLD DASH FOR ERzERouM by
THE RUSSIANS PROBABLE.
From the London Daily Newsl
KARs, August II, 1871
The miscarriage OF the siege Of Kars and the failure
of Loris Mslikof to penetrate to Erzeroum fair
to end the campaign in Armenia tor the present year
Even though very considerable Russian reinforce
mcnts within the next few days, the
approach Of, wintcr. which among these noun
tains will set in alter tho expiration Of an
other month, will precluae tho possibility Of
attempting seriously to invade the country. II is
however, very probable that Kars will DO again in
vested and In 1854 the blockade continued during
the winter. We do not yet know here the name OF
Lors Mchkofs successor, but hts presence has
ALREADY been elt in the renewed activity OF the Rus.
sian movements Yesterday three battaions, 500
horse and eignt guns wero pushed to within four
hours march of Kars, and not q day passes
without some similar alarm and the call
ing out OF several battalons to reconnoltre
the enemy. Even as l write the rumor has
spread that tho Russians, turning Kars by long
circutous route, have succeeded In occupying the
passes OF the Soghanli Mountains. If the ramor be
true Mukhtar Paoha's position Is oil tho greatest
difficulty HIS communications with Erzeroum
menaccd and, worse still, he Is forced 10 assume the
offensive TO opon up line of retreat the enemy hav
ing thus the advantage Of awaiting the attack in
chosen positions, while the Turks obliged to
attack, o thing they have, up TO the present, not
attempted, aud In when they are almost to be
defeated.
PREPARATIONS FOR TnE WINTER.
Even though the Russians be again forced TO retire
from Kars Valley aud Soghanh Mountains, thus
leaving the direct road To Erzeroum Tree, the winter
road by Ardauan being The only route available curing
SIX months Of the year. Though tho Russians have
demolished the fortlncaton5 oil ArdaDan 10 prevent
tue turks re-estabshng themselves this important
point, they stl masters OF the position ana
enectuay cut of the supplies OF kars as II they held
tue delles of the Soghanli Dagh. Many families
emigratng to Erzcroum anu Trebizondc, and those
unable TO oavo the town are laying In stores of
provisions in vcw Of the prospective siege. The
plains around Kars have ever been iamcd Tor their
vast cattle herds, principally bunaloes and oxen.
During the summer months tho iuxuriant pastures
OF the plain afford abundant nutriment Tor theso AMI
mails Iut ON advent OF winter tho excessive cold
nccessiaies their being stabbed and stall ted. THIS
year tho gravest apprehensions arc entertained that
fodder will fail the cavalry OF the Russian and TURKISH
army having consumed large portion OF tho hay and
oats Of tho district.
Besides, whichever army holds the plain during the
winter months Will require what remains for the
tenance horses Fears are also entertained that
the pest now raging 10 the Persian border provinces
Will spread TO this town and work havoc among the
garrison as In 1S54-thc cholera which broke out IN
consequence Of tho Turkish soldiers stripping tho
Russian dead and making use OF their clothes
the cholera then raging IN the hostile camp This
latter detail d a nIye wbo was rrssy, rsoh ,Ss
town during the defence Of tho place by General
Williams and who succeeded In making MS escape
through the Russian lines the night previous to the
surrender Feysey Pacba Is Hungarian by birtn aud
has served iorty years in the Turkish army He
commanded during the late action at khorumdus,
Muxhtar Pacha being abGent directing tho movements
a. De-Baba and Alaschgird. BY his advice start
before cawn tomorrow ior the banks OF tho Arpat