New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-30
LILLE RNSS.AN SNCCESSkS.

The fortunes of war are at last shifting to
the Russian side. That desperate resistance OF
Turkey which should have been exhausted
three months ago, if there had been merely
tolerable generalship, is apparently becoming
unable to withstand the increased force by
which Russia now seeks to repair her long
course of bunders. The change comes so late
in the season that its best fruits cannot be i'm
medatey gathered: the uncertainty of the
weather will prevent operations, with the ex-
ception OF siegcs, on large scale. Neither III
Armenia nor in Bulgaria can we forecast the
probable movements of the Russian armies,
since the latt + are liable to interruption ana
possible change, from the approach OF winter.
TIE Turks, in the presence of such superior
forces, are compelled to act on the defensive.
They can do nothing further than to
strengthen their position, and await attack
At Plcvna the Russians are pursuing the
only feasible plan left to ,thcm-they are en-
drayOrng 10 isolate the stronghold, starvr out
and caDflre Osnan Pasha's army. By grad
ualy pushing out their extrrme right and left
wings, and sending heavy cavalry force, un-
der General GIodIkO, to cooperate Win inc
latter. they have cut-at least temporarily
the communications with both Nlndih ana
Sophia, thus completely investing Pleyna. 1he
Judgment secured at DubnIk may be made el-
feeiua IN preventing further supplies nom
reaching OSman p sha; but 1t Is doubtful
whether the Russian lines can be drawn close
enough and made strong enough to hold hlm'
If ne should decade 10 cut his way through,
and fall baci upon point nearer S0phia. Inc
1urks must hold the line of the Balkans. if
they mean To continue the war next season
and for this reason we do not tdihk 'hat
Osman Pasha will allow his army to be en-
framed. We have no further news from tie
Army OF the Czlrcwitch since Su.ciman Pasha
fell back toward Rasgrad II is not like y that
any great battle will be fought on that line
this season, unless the siege of Si.lsrla, which
viii probably be undertaken as piece OF
Winters work, should Cal away portion OF
The Turkish forces from Ra'grad and Shumla.
We give no credonce to the story that the
Russiars intend eyacuating Bulgaria Tor the
Winter.
Tie advance in Armenia proceeds slowly.
The Grand Duke Micnael-0r his executive
commandcr-moves with commendabie caution,
bearing Mclihoii's disasters in mind. ii lsihail
Pasha has already effected q junction with
Gh;z Mul,htar aG Koprikoi. there Will yet be
fierce fighting befo Erzerum falls Although
a Russian corps has re0ccupied Bayazid. there
will he no advance, this time, OF detached
left wing up the valley of the Euphrates. The
Russian strength has been concentrated on the
main line of advance. and the struggle, if II
still should come this season. will take place
at or near Koprikoi, which appears to be
strong position Ii is about thirty-iye miles
nearly due east Of Erzcrum, and not TAR from
Dclibaba, where Muhhtar Pasha gained such
brilliant victory last Summer. We find no
sufficiently detailed account Of the topography
Of the region; but the fact that he has twice
chosen this point as the key to the defence OF
Erzerlm indicates its Importance. Complcte
success, both here and ut Plcvna, will enable
Russia to talk of peace.