RUSSIAN REVERSES IN ASIA.

Kumara Times, Issue 299, 8 September 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

RUSSIAN REVERSES IN ASIA.

Sudden reverses which have fallen upon the Russian army in Asia, changing in a single month the whole prospect of the campaign, will make the most partisan writers pause before the attempt to determine the course of events in Europe. A month ago an easy victory seemed within the grasp of the Russians. We were assured by so well informed an oracle of Turkish destiny as even the Daily Telegraph that the defence in Asia had collapsed. The three invading columns had penetrated so far that the fall of Erzeroum was thought to be but a question of days. The correspondents most favourable to the Turkish cause wrote unanimously of the bad generalship by which the armies were led, and of the state of unreadiness which everywhere prevailed. The Russian advance had brought alarm and disgust to Constantinople and heavy reinforcemeuts were despatched to check it ; but almost before these troops could reach the field a change came over the whole scene. First the right wing of the Russian army, which had advanced at a forced march as far as Olti, retreated again to Pennek, apparently falling back upon Ardahan from causes that have not been fully explained, but which seems to have originated in the desire to secure better" protection for their communications in case of a Turkish reinforcement entering the country from the direction of Trebizonde. The Turkish right being strengthened at the same time pushed forward into the pMn of Aschergad, and came iirst into collision with the Russians at Zidenzar on the 15th June. A battle ensued, in which the Turks were repulsed with the loss of Mehemet Pasha ; and Sir Arthur Kembal, the British Commissioner, had to fly for his life, being mistaken by the Cossacks for an English general in command.

The conflict lasted for six hours. The Russians poured in a deadly fire from a battery well posted on the Turkish flank, bnt the last account asserts that the Turks were compelled to retire from want of amunition. Mehemet Ali was struck down by a ball while rallying his men to an attack. The Turks, retiring behind the Delibaba Pass, were not disheartened and a few days later resumed the offensive. Ahmed Mukhtar, whose later movements have rehabilitated him in public estimation, telegraphed for more troops, and as soon as these arrived hurried himself again to the attack. The Russians had fortified the Pass, but were compelled to abandon it, and fell back again on Zeidekan. News, however, came at this juncture that the Turkish centre was threatened by an attack upon Zewin. Mukhtar Pasha hastened to complete his dispositions. Early on the morning of the 25th June 16,000 Russians advanced to storm the position. The Ottoman force under Ismail Pasha was inferior in numbers, but strongly entrenched. Again and again the Russian columns attacked, but only to be hurled back shattered and exhausted. Finally they withdrew in disorder. The next day there were indications of a retreat along the whole Russian lice. General Melikoff who commanded the Russians at Zawin, is said to have been recalled in disgrace. According to a despatch of the " Daily Telegraph" correspondent from Erzeroum, the Turkish right wing afterwards took the offensive against the Russian force at Karakalisa. Here the latter made a desperate effort to maintain the ground. The Ottoman commander under cover of a heavy artillery fire, threw his entire force against the Russian position, moving double quick to the attack with the cry of " Allah !" So impetuous and apparently unexpected was the charge of the Turks that the defenders, terror-stricken, ceased firing and decamped, leaving their dead and wounded, and men actually threw away their arm 3. They were hotly pursued, and lost many prisoners. During Sunday night they continued their retreat, having burnt their tents. They threw rifles, amunition, and everything that could encumber them into the river, exploded their field magazines, and left behind them large stores of provisions including nearly 20,0001 b. of flour, biscuits, and other eatables. The Circassians followed close on the flank of the retreating army, capturing the stragglers and inflicting some additional losses. In the pursuit they were nearly capturing 740 waggons of invalid men j who were wounded in the earlier engagement. Faick Pasba, coming from Bayazid tried to intercept this Russiau column, whikt Moussa Pasha followed closely on the Russian left flank, and Mukhtar Pasha pursued the forces at his front to

Allowing for any exaggerations in the* reports as recived at Erzaronm, if ia still clear that the Russian invasion has failed. The Grand Duke Michael has found it necessary to concentrate his forces on another line, and 40,000 men are ordered to Tiflis to reinforce him. The difficulties of the country, which resembles another Switzerland, have not been exag- - gerated, and will give the Tnrks an enormous advantage, now that they are awake, to repel another advance. .The Turks have also obtained some at Sukham Kale, bat the endeavoufid foment an insurrection by the Caucasus' has, according to the most impar&ifc'V authorities, not produced any importing' result except the detention, which indeed - is important, of troops that might otherwise have been employed further south. ' At Batoum, the value of which beginstb. be perceived, the Russian attack has been

again repulsed, and if we may accept accounts which reach us the forces tl

have been broken up and are retreat. Still more significant is •ifirfl Russian failure before Kars. Rumofrs V reach us almost daily that the siege has u been raised. The new forts erected since j the last siege have proved a formidable \ means of defence. We have heard of the ' garrison being short of provisions, nevtjr- .', ; theless they have stood firm and repelled every assault. If the Russians are still in force before it their position is ini-. perilled, and it would appear certain that the city is no completely ,• invested. ?: