The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-28 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITHIBATTLE OF GRAHOYO-THE MONTENE-
INDIA. GRIN DESPATCHES.

The following letters have been addtessed to the
editor of the Times :

Sir,—Mr. Andrew's letter, in your impression of
to-day, calls for a few remarks from me. My mis-
take as to the route of the proposed telegraphic line
through Asiatic Turkey hardly affects the argu-
nlats which I urged against its feasibility, for
%haler the line runs through Sivas or Aleppo it
Inuit touch at Diarbekir, and from Diarbekir to Basra
the risk awaiting it ill be in fad play.
Again, none of the post-houses in Turkey are nearer
than 20 miles apart, and are generally located near towns
or villages. While this arrangement suffices, under
ordinary circumstances, for their protection, the inter-
mediate distances are frequently overrun by marauding
Arabs. Were this not the case, the post might travel

unprotected, whereas up to the present day it is av,om-
panied by an escort ; and most Europeans, even when
journeying by pot, are not deemed safe without a
similar guard.
I know of no district between Bagdad and Bara where
the wires would be safe ; for, though the Arabs for a
part of the distance are not, strictly speaking, Bedouins,
they are not therefore more under the control of the
local Turkish authorities, or better disposed towards
them, and the Arabs who have settled and have become
cultivators of the soil are themselves frequently exposed
to the inroads of their nomade neighbours. The state
of the tribes might have been more favourable during
Captain Lynch's residence at Basra, but this only serves
to show that a country so liable to change, and upon the
security of which no dependence can be placed for a
month together, is little adapted for a line of telegraphic
communication.

General Chesney's remark upon the proffered assist-
ar co of the Sheikh of the Shammar may be adduced in
illustration of the above observation. The Shammar a
few years ago were at feud with the Government; now
they ara subsidised by them. But can any one tell how
long the alliance will last T And in case of a rupture
what would became of the wires which the Shammar had
helped to erect ? Besides, it mast be borne in mind that
the Shammar have no influence south of Bagdad, where
many of the tribes, though smaller, are far more lawless
than thosd in Upper Mesopotamia, and vary lately, as I
observed in my last letter, the Shammar, aided by the
Turkish Nizam, were thoroughly beaten on their own ter-
ritory by the more powerful Anis. Omar Pasha may, in-
deed, do something to bring about a better state of things
in his Pashalic, just as Mohammed Pasha of Mosul
did 20 years ago ; but what security is there that his
successor will not suffer the country to lapse into greater
disorder than before I Persons at all acquainted with
the history of those districts for the last half-century
will at once acknowledge the force of the foregoing
observations. .

General Chesney, I perceive, suggests that the cable
might he laid from Basra to Bagdad, in the bed of the
Tigris. Should this be practicable, the Asiastic Turkey
line would be rid of one of its most formidable difficul-
ties. I remember, however, that while on the river last
year one or two scientific men remarked that owing to
the rapids and the shifting nature of the banks in the
stream itself the cable would not be safe. On the feasi-
bility or otherwise of General Chesney's suggestion on
this point I am myself quite incompetent to offer any
opinion.
With regard to expense, and what remains to be done
by parties in England to complete or set on foot either
of the two lines proposed (on which Mr. Andrew lays
great stress), I have nothing to say, having no interest
whatever in that respect in the one or the other, my sole
object to point out to the public in a matter of national
importance which of the two routes is most available
and advantageous ; for it will readily be allowed that
all the preparations made by the Turkish Government will
be of little use to us if the wires are to be destroyed as
soon as laid down. Besides, it is, unfortunately, no war-
rant for the wisdom of any such scheme that the Porte has
taken up this line of telegraphic communication through
Asiatic Turkey to Basra. Strong influence from with-
out has frequently induced the Porte to engage in the
most chimerical projects, just as the present said Pacha
is being urged to father that monstrous folly the Suez
Canal scheme, so that he may not be behind his prede-
cessor, Mohammed Ali, who was bad enough to build
the Barrage.
I am quite ready to admit Sir Henry Rawlinson's
authority on many pcints connected with the East, but
I must join issue with him on the subject of the great
difficulty of establishing telegraphic communication via
the Red Sea, as expressed in a quotation from his speech
given by Mr. Andrew. That opinion was advanced-before
the publication of Captain Pullen's report, and I am
strongly inclined to believe that Sir Henry on the occa-
sion named referred to obstacles which since Capt. Pul-
len's survey have been proved to be purely imaginary.
The case, therefore, stands thus :—Gen. Chesney sees
no difficulty in establishing a telegraphic line by the Red
Sea, and Capt. Lynch is of the same opinion ; indeed,
the facts of its practicability and security are now be-
yond question. On the other hand, its warmest sup-
porters cannot give the same guarantee for the security
of the Asiatic route ; besides which, as Geo. Chesney
most judiciously remarks, in the one case we shall have
a complete command of the cable ; in the other, if
adopted, the line would include Constantinople, Asia
Minor, Bagdad, and Persia also. The British Government
well know how to estimate an advantage of this nature in
connection with the eventualities of European politics'.
In conclusion, I beg most sincerely to disown any hos-
tility to Mr. Andrew's scheme ; let his line be laid down
by all means, but let not the supporters of the Red Sea
route (with whom, I may say in passing, I have no ac-
quaintance whatever) be deterred from carrying out
their project without delay. There is no rivalry to fear,
since I feel convinced that as regards India only the
Red Sea line will be permanently available.—l remain,
sir, your obedient servant,
GEORGIC PERCY BADGER.
17, St. Petersburg-place, Bayswater, May 26.

Sir,—ln your impression of to-day Mr. Layard, in Lis
haste to find objections to the Persian Gulf route, among
other mistakes asserts that because I have not been in
Turkish Arabia my information is incorrect, ignoring
entirely that part.of my letter which refers to the opinion
of Sir Heary Rawlinson, as expressed in the House of
Commons, and what I stated on the authority of Capt.
Lynch, and forgetting what he himself had written in
his work on "Nineveh and Babylon," that the worst of
the Arabs "may be easily governed and moved by kind-
ness and equitable-treatment."

From the moment I ventured to advocate the establish •
ment of telegraphic c•mimunication with India through
Asiatic Turkey I have been aided by the information
and advice of those who have resided among, and have
traded with the Arabs, or who have scientifically ex-
plored and surveyed their country, and whose opinions
on the great question at issue I mu,t prefer, for many
reasons, to those of Mr. Layard.
Thanking you for having allowed me an opportunity
of stating my views in your columns on former occa-
sions I once more request the favour of your inserting
this letter.—l am, S►r, your most obedient servant,
W. P. ANDREW, Chairman.
European and Indian Junction Telegraph Co., Gresham-
house, Old Broad•street, London, nay 27.

Sir,—Having seen in the Times of to-day a letter
from Mr. Layard, in which he expresses his belief that a
line of telegraph through Asiatic Turkey could not be
maintained, on account of the Arab tribes, I have no
hesitation in stating the substance of the evidence whit's
was given by me before a c3mmittee of the House of
Commons 1 tst year upon this subject, the purport of
which was that no difficulties whatever were to by ex-
pected from the Arabs if proper relations were estab-
lished with their chiefs.

The following extracts from Mr. Layard's book, pub•
lished shortly after his return from Asiatic Turkey, wi;l
convey a good idea of the high opinion then entertained
by him of the trustworthiness of the Arabs. lam igno-
rant of the cause which has now led him to arrive at a
different conclusion :
" That these wild tribes, however, are not insensible to
justice and to a feeling of gratitude—that even they, igno-
rant and barbarous as they are, may be easily governed
and moved by kindness and equitable treatment, has boen
proved by their conduct towards the few English mer-
chants and travellers who have had dealings with them,
and .have visited the rivers on which they principally
dwell. _

"Mr. Rassam frequently sent Saturn across the desert
with as much as 5001. or 600/. in money, and always with
the most complete confidence. His only reward was an
occasional silk dress, or one or two camel loads of corn
for his family, the whole of the value of a few shil-
lings. Of late years the wool of the Bedouin sheep has
been in considerable demand in the European markets, arid
a large trade in this article has already been opened with
the Shammar. Money is generally advanced some months
before the sheep are sheared, to enable the Arabs to buy
their winter stock of provisions. Mr. Bassani has thus
paid beforehand several thousand pounds without any
written or other guarantee whatever. The tribes leave the
neighbourhood of the town, and are not again heard of
until their long strings of camels are seen bringing the
promised wool. I remember a Bedouin coming all the way
alone from the neighbourhood of Bagdad to pay Mr.
Rassam a trifling sum, I think between 3s. and 45., the
balance of a wool account between them."
supposing, however, that any apprehensions were to
be entertained from the hostility of the Arabs, it so hiqi-
pens that the proposed line goes through Asia Minor to
Diyarbekir—A country where there are no Arabs what-
soever, and thence to Mosul, where there are only a few
tribes prriectly under the control of the Turkish Goverte
meat, and who afforded such valuable aid to Mr. Layard
in his explorations at Niinroud ; the telegraph will alt r-
wards, as stated by Mr. Andrew, fine w the line of the
post road by Arbil and Kirkuk to Bagdad through a
quiet and cultivated courery.
"I may perhaps claim as mue% knowleilge and experi-
ence as any Englishman ( f the country proposed to be
crossed by the telegraphic line, and of its inhabitants,"
having accompanied General Chesney's expedition to the
Euphrates, and Laying afterwards c nipleted a survey,
vrhic,i occupied three years, on behlif cf the R',372.1 Get:-
gtaphicAl Society, of the country extending from Con-
stantinople along the valley of the Tigris.-1 am, Sir,
your most obedient servant,

WILLIAM A INSWO RTH
Ravengcourt Villa, Hamra, rsmi;h. M.y 27.

PAVING OF REGENT-STREET.—The election for vestry-
men in St. James's, Westminster, took place on Tues,'a)
amid an unu,ual amount of excitement, consequent on
Vie rye, nt discw sions with referents to the paving
Ltegent-street. The ratepap-ri who are oppoed to th,
additional paving mustered in great numbers, an t Fus
e: Ksfol~y carried their obj,ct by the election of a inaj city
of non-paving members, and which, tb-y arc it c teed to
rope, will for a time set the question at rest—a fact, a
any rate, most gralifying to the inhabitants a 11,gent-
str, et, who have strenuously resisted what they considEr
to bo an encroachment on the privileges of their pro-
ty, and an unjustifiable outlay of parish money.

The Nord publishes the following despatches.
The first is the report of the Voioode Mirko
Petrovic Njegos, brother of Prince Danilo, and

Presi lent of the Montenegrin Senate :
" Your Highness,—Tuesday, May the lltb, at
eeven o'clock in the morning, the weather thick, the
infantry of the Ottoman army attacked the columns
on our left flank, formed by the militias of Ceolyani,
Cuci, Gravljani, Knit:lmi, and Z.tgarac. At the com-
mencement our columns slowly retired, then they

opened a- rapid fire on the. Turks, and finally seizing
their handjars, they threw themselves on the enemy,
singing the national song, Glory to God, and
honour to our Prince.' The Turks fled and we pursued
th'm to their trenches. They left on the field of battle
208 killed, without counting the wounded. Seeing that,
the right wing, which I bad the honour to command,
also advanced, handjar in hand ; the centre advanced as
well, commanded by Senator Djuro Kusovac. This
c ilumn, formed of the guards of your highness, attacked
the cavalry with the sword. Soon the contest became
general, and the smoke of the Tnrkish artillery and mus-
ketry enveloped the field of battle like a thick fog.
Finally, towards evening, the Turks were beaten aloeg
the whole line, and found refuge in their entrenchments.
"Wednesday, 12th May, I passed in review the forces
in our camp. Our 1 ,ss was 55 killed and 110 wounded,
amongst whom is one chieftain and the brave commander
of the guards of your highness, the Senator Djuro
Kmovac, whose life is despaired of. The Turks left 520
tetes eoupees on the field of battle. At present, your
highness, I have so disposed our colums as to close in
the enemy on four sides. We have thus nut off the
enemy from all communication with his head-quarters,
so that he cannot longer draw his means of defence for
his entrenched camp.—Receive, &c.,
(Signed)

" Mingo."

The s2cond report is addressed by the same Com-
mander-in-Chief of the' Montenegrins to Prince
Danilo, and is'as follows

" Great Conqueror, Prince of the valiant Montene-
grins,—ln the name of the Lord Almighty and of St.
Peter, and in honour of my prince and well-beloved
brother, I disposed my troops on Ascension-day, 13th
May, t afore: the sunrise, for a general assault on the
Turkish entrenchments. Immediately the columns of
attack were formed I opened fire in the valley, where
we massed the guards of your highness to cut off the re-
treat of the Turks. At the same moment our faithful
and brave falcons (an epithet the Montenegrins apply to
themselves) raised their handjare, crying with an un-
speakable enthusiasm, Long live Prince Danilo I
saw there, my prince, prodigies of valour, of heroism,
and love of liberty.
" The advanced guard of the left wing rushed straight
upon the enemy's entrenchments and carried them,
whilst the troops of the right wing pressed the fugitives
at the point of the sword. It is impossible for me at
this moment, my prince and brother, to give you a de-
tailed recital. Thanks be rendered to God, the All-
powerful I our blows f-11 on the masses of the enemy as
though we had been chopping sticks.
"Of the 13,000 men of which the Turkish army was
cemposed, scarcely 200 or 300 have been able to *map('
to bear witness how the Montenegrins knew to fight for
their country. Your soldiers have felled 7,000 Turkish
heads, taken eieht pieces of artillery, 1,200 caparisoned
horses, and 300 field-tents. At present it is not pos-
sible to enumerate the arms captured, nor all the rich
booty which we have just acquired.
" The field of battle has the aspect of a felled forest,
and the mutilated corpses of the Turks is a sight of
horror.
" It is here, my lord, that the Montenes rine have ill
part avenged the defeat on the plain of Sossovo (June
15, 1389) ; it is here that they have avenged the memory
of the hero Milosch, in thinking of their prince. Thel
rushed onwards, one over the body of the other, braving
death to distinguish themselves in thine eyes. In this
assault we had killed and about 60 wounded.
"On the side of the Turks two pachas were killed;
the head of one was taken by the heroic Captain Iltjib
Djukanov de Cuca, and the other fell by the sword of
the standard-bearer of your highness's guard. In the
combat, body to body, officers were undistinguishable
from the common soldiers ; all conducted themselves °
true heroes.
" Honour to them all before God and before you, 1131
prince. When we shall have rendered the last honoura
to the dead, given attention to the wounded, and diet&
buted the booty, I will repair to your highness, &c.,
(Signed) "
"Grahovo, May 13."
The Cologne Gazette says ;
" Princo Danito has announced to the Governor of Del"
matia, that in spite of contrary conventions, the Turk.
pillaged Grahovo, and that he was under the necessil
of repelling them. Oa the other hand, it is prove,
by official reports, whose authenticity is undoubted, the,'
it was the Montenegrins who broke the armistice Or
eluded by M. Defame."
Prince Danilo paid a ducat for each Turk's SO°
that was brought to him. Up to the present tbei,
have sent him 250 noses, as well as the sword
Senator Djuro, killed in the combat. The din;
nonade during the battle was distinctly heard.%
Cattaro. Some of the wounded Montenegrin
have been received and taken care of in an Au'_
trian fort.