New-York tribune., 1877-06-04
THE MARCH TO ERZERUM.

EARs COMPLETELY lNVESTED-lHE RUSSIANS Al
1HE soGBANLU MoUNTAINs-THE TURKS RI
LONDON. June 2. 1877.
The Turkish army on the Asiatic side appears to
have been deplOrably neglected The troops are
worse disciplined, worse equipped and provided than
those on the Danube but the nature of the warfare
in Asia to some degree makes Deficiencies OF the
armies less vital The campaign viii be one in
which strategy will be of less and hard fighting of
more importance. Even irregular troops may be
able 80 do service in positions winch II Is III the
power of Mukhtar Pasha to defend.
The Russian right wing has advanced from Arda-
ban via Urut to Peunek - smiles north of Bardess.
OF the center we have trustworthy information
but il has been reported that they have taken both
Deli MuSa and Getschevan. According 10 another
account these places being attacked by dctach-
uents while the main force is following the north
ern road over the SOgh0nlu Mountains. At all
events the right and center are well down toward
positions from which attack could be made on
Mukbtar Pasha: but the left wing has not yet ad-
vanced far enough to participate in combined
movement. This delay is 70 a great extent
in consequence of difficulties of the conn
try through which the left wing is marching.
All supplies have to be drawn from Eriyan from
which place the only easy road leads through Per-
sian territory, the other routes being mountain
passes II the battle which Is to decide the fate Of
Frzerum is not fought until the ETiyan column has
forced the Turkish positions at TOprak-Kaeh, and
is within supporting distance OF the other columns
progress is likely to be, heretofore very slow. It
is not impossible however, that the right and cen
ter with the aid of force from Batum oper-
atng on the ChOruk River, may attack
Mukhtar Pasha from the direction of Olh
and Soghanlu. provided Mukhtar waits to be
attacked. The latest news of him via Con-
stannope represents that he was falling back from
The BaTdess and Erzerum positions. 1t IS TO be le-
marked however that news from Ccnstantmope,
whether favorable unfavoTable 10 the Turks, IS
peculiarly untrustworthy. Thus, last week the
announcements that the Russians had occupied Van
and Oti were both false being probably the result
Of panic just as the reiterated story Of the recap
ture Of Arabian was doubtless the result OF blum
denng design on The part of the Government to ap-
pease the populace of Consantinople. On the other
hand the war news made public by the Russian Gov
ernment is generally OF no importance whatever or
several days behind time.
TURKISH CAVALRY ROUTED.
TIrlt>. ,r,,,;y, June ., 1877.
The Russian Gen. Jd commanding at ATda-
ban, on the 30th ii May gecOnnoitcred beyond Pen
mex and Olu. The Turkish cavalry under MousSa
Pssha have been defeated and dispersed at Bckh
Ahmed, near KaIs. The Russians captured two
mountain guns, four ammunition wagons, and two
standards The Russians loss was killed and 80
wounded The Turks left So dead on the field.
IRE TURKISH DEFEAT ADMITTED.
ERzERUM Friday. june !. 1877.
During the night Of MAY ~ the Russians defeated
and routed Moussa Pashas Crcassians at Bekh
Ahmed near Kars. Bcll Ahmed was burned Kars
samply provsioDed but as precautionary meas
ureth garrison has been put Oh half rations.
COSsrASTNOPLE, Saturday, june .. 1877.
1t s officially announced that the reported recap
fuTe of Arabian is erroneous. The various tele-
grams hitherto received have hot emsnated from
Turkish military commanders.