The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-22
WAITING MARCHING ORDERS
General DragomirOff to Take Command
of the Forces
Trans.Cancasia Full OF Veteran Officers
and Troops
A Prediction That a Great War Is About
to Break forth-Thc Gar Has
Taken All Advance Steps.
Grave Situation

THE Herald is in Communication with a
Russian political exile in this city, who is ex-
peciing soon to receive amnesty, and whose
chances of pardon would be endangered if h s
identity was disclosed. He is man OF the
highest character and reliability. This gent lie
man has furnished this paper with the sub
joined information which gives a new and
startling point OF view OF the Turkish quest
on. 1t shows that Russia is prepared to take
TT in The dismemb srment OF Turkey by force
arms, and it is liable to precipitate HOSTILE
IS at any moment which may lead to a
general European war
The writer of this is just in receipt of
a letter from Tifis, Trans Caucasia. in
which an Armenian gentleman describes
tho mysterious doings Of the Russians
in that province which, as it Will be re-
membered. borders on Turkish Armenia.
Some extracts from this interesting COM
Munication are herewith given:
"Since the Armenian outrages began
over the border, an unusual activity
rsigns here in the military circles, though
everything is Kept in the utmost secrecy.
1t is not allowed to speak OF or to write
abous the Intentions of the govern ment,
and must take precautions that this
etter reaches You.
SccLuS tuuI We dI6 tuc 0V0 OF
great war. Never since the last cam
paisn were there SO many officers present
IN Trans-Cauoassia as there are now.
They began to arrive few weeks ago.
and are arriving yet, ostensibly to esca pc
the northern winter, but, of course, thi 10
is only a subterfuge. Strangely enough
all these officers, supposed to be on the
sick leave, are the veterans who had
served under Loris Melikoff in the last
Russo Turkish war, and VIII are per feet
ly we'll acquainted with Armenia. Thus
you can draw your own conclusio ms.
with this sudden migration of the
officers a quiet, but steady, increase of all
the military forces took place. Russia
has at the m oment l am writing this,
so. 900 soldiers in perfect orde: ready to
enter and occupy Armenia. They ere
AL stationed here In Erivan ami other
frontier places. In twenty-four hours
they can be in marching order and cross
the Turkish boundary.
Besides this force, there are 100, 900 re-
serve troops which, scattered through
different places of the Caucasus, can be
rapidly modified and follow the first in
vading army.
linus huSSlh HAS OVeT com DdU-
ants with which she oxn invade the
Asiatic possessions of Turkey. 1t is even
asserted that General Dragomiroff Rus
sias best strategist. will take the com
mand of the army. which strangely
enough is called the army of Asia Minor.
An ominous game for Turkey, for it is
certain that Russia will not be satisfied
with Armenia alone. I know from trust.
worthy persons that in the case of further
Implications, Russia will be the first in
the field, will iDavds Turkey with an i'm
posing army, occupy Armenia and then
rapidly march upon Scutari via Trebi-
zond, that is along the shores OF the
Euxinus. Such a rove would bring
Russia to the gates of Constantinople
from an unexpected quarter.
"No wonder this Russian officers are
jubilant, notwithstanding tho secrecy
they are ordered to preserve. Poor Ar
menia, will she be any better under the |
Russian than she Is under the Turkish !
rule? OF course the Muscovite will not !
us as the Osmanli does, but he |
will keep us IN sucn a bondage that death
would be preferable. Remember Po- |
land -