The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-11-27 00:00:00

THE WAR.

PHOSPECr3 OF THE WAR.

I,
During the last week the belief has spread very
rapidly that the war cannot last much longer. It
might be diffi.ult to justify this expectation by a ,
formal induction of facts; still, an opinion that arises ,
spontaneously in many minds at the name time cannot
be disregarded. Peace is "in the air," and perhaps
will remain there; but., on the other hand, it may
descend before the most vigilant are prepared for it.
The rumour that Osman Pacha had asked the Grand
Duke Nicholas for terms of capitulation now appears
to have no more foundation than the fact that a
Turkish parlementaire from Plevna had appeared in
the Russian camp. Since then the public has been
told that the Russians are giving large orders for
ammunition bread with which to feed Osman
Pacha'a army after its surrender. It is not,
however, upon incidents 1.0 uncertain as these that
public opinion is formed. The overthrow at Aladja
Dagh, the defeat at Deve-Boyun, the fall of Kars, and
the imprisonment of Osman Pacha and his army at
Plevna are the facts which have most impressed the
world, as showing that the temporary equality
Turkish and Muscovite power has passed away, and
that the decisive superiority is now with the Russians.
—Daily New's.
Once again the real issue++ of the war claim the
serious consideration of English statemanship and
patriotism. Kars has fallen; Osman is surrounded in
Devils as Bazaine was surrounded in Metz, nor do we
see that he has more hope of cutting out his way
than had the French Marshall through the circle of
converging fire. His recent efforts against Skobelefre
redoubts have met only with repulse ; his provisions,
if not his ammunition, must be now well-nigh
exhausted. His only hope rests upon such help as
may be derived from outside, or upon such • change in
the weather as might make it impossible for the Russian
generals to feed their men between ?leans and Sofia.
Should • season of heavy rain set in, it is quite possible
that the Russian trams may be compelled to break up
their positions, and retire nearer to the Danube. Or
should a bold simultaneous movement be mule by all
the Turkish forces in Bulgaria, it is possible that
Oxman may be relieved. But in neither case can the
possible be called probable. Frost is rather to be
expected than rain; and frost will harden the roads,
reduce the sickness in the camps, and do but little
injury to the hardy Russian peasant soldiers. As for
a combined movement, if :Mehemet from Sofia, Chakir
fmw Orkhanie, Reouf kt Shipka, and Suleiman from
the Ism were at one and the same time to advance and
attack, pertinaciously festening on to the foe, while 1
Osman tried to break out from Plevna, it might
perchance go bard with the Russians. But the lad
give is. reason to suppose that such combination will
take place. When a far easier and far less dangerous
ambulation might have led to greater results, Sulei-
man failed to a online with Mehemet; and the sole
example of one commander giving real aid to another
has been Cliefkees march of a convoy to assist Ostnan
in Plevna. In other cases the motto of the Turkish
generals seems to have been, " Every man for himself,
and Allah for us all."
In Asia, since Kars has been captured, and we may
have at any hour news of the rapture of. Erzerouna, the
weather is the inle foe whic`l the Risse-ais nee fear.
If Pleviia falls, and if the army of Osman is taken
prisoner, the ltu.sians will have gabled a great and
signal success. It is true that the Balkans will still lie
between then. and Adrianople; that not one fortreis
of the Torki-h Quadrilateral will have been taken ; and
that the Balkan posses will be more strongly defended
now than they were on the first Russian advance. But
a great moral victory will base been won; a large
Turkish force will have been compelled to surrender;
and a standing menace to the Russian line of advance
will have been removed. Then, if we mistake not,
will come the tium for 3e via to take the field and
strike at Mehemet's for.-e. If Servia sends her tos.ps
acmes the frontier, it will Is impodsible for Nfeltemet
to sta• d against a c binal attack. Then will come
the turning of the Balkans. and the game is in Russia's
hands. The fall of Plea.% is rightly viewed as the
great crisis ~f the campaign. Nor can the Porte
disguise from itself the importance that would attach
to this event If falls, I ,ne of two thing.s must
Follow: either there will be negotiations for peace, or
the Itnwians will advance to Adrianople. In either
case English interests will, to use Lord Beaconsfield's
phrase, be menaced.
- -

THE "GLORY" OF WAR.

- - -
On Atotolay the victory of the Russians arms was
formally celebrated by the solemn entry of the Grand
Duke Michael into Kara. There he received the
homage of the inhabitants—which was not, it may be
supposed very willingly accorded —4ave a banquet to
his officers, paraded his tr..pa and in other ways
enjoyed his triumph. All lids was sufficiently
orthodox, and, it may safely be said, could not
intensify the hatred already existing between If wind-
mans and Muscovites. The Ktate f things revealed to
the conquerors was not pleasant. The town Wall full
of sick and wounded men, who were in a wretched
condition ..f neglect. Ordinary medical assistance was
out of reach, and disease of the most shocking character
was rapidly spreading. The task of succesidully
grappling with the situation is certain to strain the
Russian resources to the utmost.

THE CAPTURE OF RAILS.
To the editor of thr Standard.

Sir,—Fif teen thousand Ruasians captured Kars when
defended In. a force of fifteen thousand Turk., ten
thousand of whom were madeprkonera and five thousand
were killed or wouudid ! The Drtily News, with manifest
rejoicing, attributes thin " crowning victory" to the
superior valour of the Rumians. It may be no. lmt those
Englishmen who have not been awarded with Russian
decorations still lscarcely attribute it to anything but the
grossest treachery.—l am. Sir, your obedient servant.
VICTORI A CROSS.