The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-21
TURKISH CABINET MUDDLES,
Russia's Right to the Bosphorus
Asserted.
[py CABLE TO THE HEnALp.1

importance, tnough II IL quite eVldcnt thas
the Russians are rapidly massing large
bodies OF troops in 'front.' Of the Turkish
main position. This concentration Of the Russian
corps Is an evidence OF their desire to force battle
in the open field, and the engagement cannot
be long delayed. When 1t does occur the
struggle will undoubtedly be terrific
one, and have a most important bearing on
the campaign The opposing armies now APP
preaching each other so large that the battle
will be decisive and bloody.
THE SITUATION IN ASIA.
The HERALD correspondent at TrebIzonde tele-
graphs the exact situation in Asia. He says that
perfect tranquility prevails in that city and in
Erzeroum. He confirms the report of the bom-
bardmcnt OF Sukum- Kaleh, and says that the In
habitants and the Russian troops retired In the
OF the town. 1t is probable that
general rising Of the tribes In the Caucasus will
soon take place. SkIrmishes occur daily in the
of Batoum. A strong attack by the Russians on tho
18th was vigorously repused. Kars is not COM
plctey invested.
RUSSIAN BATTLE OF ARABIAN
despatch from st. Petersburg gives the following
official account Of the battle of Ardahan teegaphed
by General Melikon to the Grand Duke Michael:--
..The outworks OF Arabian, its for1catons. citadel,
sixty guns, immense stores OF provisions and
ammunition, and the camp formerly occupied by
fourteen battalions Of Turks. lie at the feet Of
the Gar On May II the admirable fre OF our artil-
lery between three and six O'Clock in the afternoon
made breach in the walls At six O'Clock tho
-.
vanccd the assault. The cnomy could not Withstand
the onslaught and hed leaving q great number dead.
At o'clock troops traversed the whole town
and Notifications, tho band playing tho national
anthem. The troops full Of enthusiasm. Our
loss is believed to be one officer and fifty soldiers
killed. tour officers and $50 soldiers wounded can
find sufficient words OF praise for the courage and
GOODNESS OF young soldiers, for the good dispo
sition OF the troops made by the ofhcera solemn
service will be held At the central point Of the fortia
cations fTft ~ ~i @1'
Bayaxid despatch says that tho Russian left wing
is at 1peck, not .sPeek" as heretofore reported
THE suKUM-KAEH EXPEDITION. rltr
1t now appears that the expedition undor Fazli
Pacha which started for sukum- Kaleh Friday
sisted Of four largo transports four iron-cad
| frigates, despatch boat ~ 10000 troops
and Ave batteries Of artillery despatch
from Constantnople received yesterday states that
official bulletin just issued announces that the Turk
ish forces operating Sukum- Kaloh attacked
| by 100 Russians SieL The Turks completely
annihiated a company of Cossacks. They took five
| prisoners besides some arms and provisions
| Tho lighting continues. Tho lect has destroyed
| Bourgdjardjare. The Russians lost 300 killed
and wounded In tho sklrmish near Kars
| Despite this official announcement considerable
anxiety is manifested at Constantinoplc whether the
su,um Kaleh expedition will succeed In raising an
instruction in Caucasus. An evidence OF this fact s
found the statement that 5000 troops 500 Crcas-
| sans So 600 rifles and some mountain batteries have
already been despatched thlthcr
| despatch from Constantlnoplc says tho Russians
attempted to regain sutum Kaleh. but repulscd
with loss.
NOTES VARIOUS
An Erzeroum despatch says q decisive pattlc lie ex-
pected In the Kanly Mountains An attack
on Kars was repulsed with heavy los Tho
Turks have sent reinforcements to Ncko-
polls 70 guard against any attempted passage
of the Danube there. On the 1st of June all traffic
Roumauian railways will he stopped to allow tho
passage OF stores siege artillery The Car Will
remain at Bucharest until the end oil the He will
witness the passage OF the Danube by the main body
OF the army.
A Berlin despatch says the Turks connnc their prep
arations strengthening the Danuoian fortresses.
All these being made more or less formidable, but
strengthening their garrisons detracs from tho
beers OF their field forces. With all the
Inducements recently brought up tho Turks,
1t is believed have moro than 200, 900
combatants north OF the Balkans TO resist
100000 Russians. The positions which the Russians
have occupied near Ibrail will enable them to
prevent tho Turkish eunboats approaching the shores
OF the Dobrudscha Belgrade despatch says the
elections OF the skuptschina ordered.
Largo bodies Of troops directed to Teshnia,
Dervcnt and Doboy, with extra wagon loads of
and ammunition A Gaiatz special, dated Sunday,
says to-day small Routnanian iron.clad
armed by the Russians with iour gung
and manned with Russian sailors IL is reported
The Russians will also their two remaining paddle
gunboals. A Ruschuk despatch, dated Saturday,
says the Russians are bombarding Nikopos The
Governor Of Rustchuk has resigned and lett the
A Bucharest despatch, dated Sunday, says the adj
vance OF the column OF Russian infantry mentioned
In previous dispatches, passed Bucharest at one
O'Clock this morning These infantry belong TO tho
corps destined the Bucharest and Giurgovo positions
The Danube is 80 high at present that il
would be difficult 10 place a pontoon bridge
Tho Clrcassians who landed At sukum-Kalch have
arrived at the capital Of the Abchasan country The
Abchasians arc afraid to join them. In Moldava CON-
muncaon with Jassy entirely interrupted by foods.
The valley OF the Blstrtza Is like OF water waist
deep Berlin despatch says Count Andrassy has
requested the withdrawal Of the Russians from the
Auta
1t is rumorcd that the Emperor OF Austria will visit
the Car The Russian commissarat Is working rather
unsatisfactory. Tho Russians occupied Rrajova on
Friday night and Otenitza Saturday. They VIII
occupy Turn-Severin and Kalafat on tho GOTH
PROGRESS CAMPAIGN
The weeks kilograms CONFIRM tho Russian advance
TO the Auta ut nn-Magursn, Islash and simnitz-
Tho forces actually at these places only advance
posts The main body Is distributed in the roar
between Alexandria, Konani and Ruschedevcde,
ZOO being the latter place, IRON whence good