Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-03
FOREIGN.
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT.
PARIS, NOVEMBER 10, 1853.

PARIS, NOVEMBER III, 1898.
Military events on the Danube have been engross-
ing public attention in the west of Europe, to the
exclusion of almost every thing else, since the date
of nv last There is prospect Of active winter
campaign. Yielding to the ardor Of his troops,
which were impatient to be led to the attack and
influenced perhaps by the not unreasonable hope
that important operations whether successful or
unfortunate, would involve the Western Powers in
the war, OMER PAcHA has passed the Danube at
several points, with the apparent intention of invest
ing Bucharest the centre of Russian military opera
tons in the Prncipaities The Turkish troops which
have crossed the river at Kalafat, Gas reported in
my letter of last week,) at Rusthuk, Toutourkai,
&C., amount by this time probably to 10000 or
40 900 men to be speedily followed by other corps
along the whole line of the Turkish forces extending
from Silistria up to Widdin. A marked design of
concentration near Giurgeyo is eyinced. Giurgevo
is on the left bank opposite Rusthuk, and about
sixty miles south of Bucharest The contemplated
attack on the Russian lines WILL is generally believed
be made with better prospects of than at
any later period for reports say that the whole Russian
force Of occupation diminished by disease and deserton
does not now amount to than 85, 900 strong and
that considerable not to be expected
till December The Turks therefore, and their friends in
Western Europe not without hope that the actual
prompt and energetic movement Of Omer Pacha will re-
suit after successful general engagement, in driving
the Russians the Pruth and thus RIDING the Turk
ish territory of its INVADERS at least till next spring.
The disparity of forces which would make this result
sble is not well established as many desire. 1t was
VIGOROUSLY one of Bonapartes rules dsparage in all
reports the force and resources of the enemy and to ex
aggerae his own and no accounts reach of the rea
tive strength Of the armies in presence upon the Danube
except through channels unfavorable to the Gar 1t
ha we'll whe
committed the fault of advancing into the cnemys coun
try with force insufficient to defend itself in en-
trenchmens selected and fortified without moesation
and with special view to occupation during the winter
But taking European view of this question, or even an
exclusively Turkish view of it, is it desirable that the
campaign of the coming winter should be attended even
with the complete success of driving the Russians out of
the Princpaes and across the Pruh Certes the sym
pathies of your correspondent like those of oil impartial
men, with the Sultan the weaker and the oppress
ed party; and If there were reasonable hope that
successful winter campaign would end the war; or that IT
would probably conduce to successful termination of
the war; heartily would bid him God speed in the
onslaught which be commencing. But reflect
upon the immense resources of his powerful enemy how
certain is that with the spring the Gar having tempo
rary defeat to avenge will pour his overwhelming forces
into the Prncpalites and exact from the Inundated and
exhausted Sultan harder terms than those which he
is now willing accept Can the friends Of Turkey wish
this result? Can they for instant suppose that defeat
this winter viii render the Car disposed to peace
spring. appreciaby lessen his power to overwhelm
his victim? So much for Turkey. On the other hand
the considerable of Omer Pachas operations on
the left bank of the Danube this winter would afford Aus
tra pretext which she would not be slow to take adj
vantage Of for the military occupation of Servia 1t is
unlikely that at the instance of the Car, she
might actually attack the Turks in their rear Then
France and England would find it difficult to maintain
their neutral attitude and general war, which would
end may say when where, would have arisen.
What would become of the Ottoman Empire in such
equally doubtful That there would be danger of uni
versal anarchy in Continental Europe is certain But
do not yet anticipate for the Sultan successes on the
Danube this winter which would be of SO alarming cha
racter for Europe and Of such predetermined good for
Turkey herself The papers this morning however con-
tain accounts of the first considerable engagement that
has occurred between the begerens the Danube An
action took place at Giurgeyo the Sd instant which
resulted ayorably the Turks corps Of Turks
it seems crossed the river in the face Of 5000 Russians
under the command Of Gen. Poof The passage effect
ed the Turks drove the enemy from his position at the
point of the bayone The combat lasted three hours
with much spirit The Russian General retired with the
loss Of six hundred killed and wounded among whom
were twenty four officers, six of high grade. And
have unreliable accounts of still more important affair,
resulting likewise in favor Of the Turks the borders Of
the Black Sea- in Asia The hospodars Of Moldsya and
Waachia have both resigned their functions, which
performed by commission nominated by the Rus
sian commander Prince GoRTscHAKoFF. Immediately
upon the retirement Of the hospodars Vienna the pub
lie treasury Of the Prncpatie general and municipal
seized by the Russian General, martial law
proclaimed and all Communication with the Turks forbid
den TO the inhabitants Of the country upon pain Of DEATH
The Pays Of yesterday contains elaborate article,
professedy prepared with much and scrupulouness
the actual character and force Of the Turkish military
available in this against Russia 1t is only
since lSI3 that the organic statute regulating the organ
zaton Of the army and introducing the arms uniforms,
and discipline Of Northern Europe has been Of force
That statute prescribed also fveyears term Of service
by lot for the recruitment Of the army in lieu Of the life
service which prevailed before That statute adopted the
French rules and organization for Turkish infantry and
cavalry The Prussan system adopted for artillery
The regular army Of the Turks divided into the division
for active service hc miami and the reserve redJ the
former consisting Of young chosen by lot for term
Of service for five years the latter consisting Of retired
members Of the frat division, (nizdm,) who their FIVE
years ended maintain their military organization for
years longer subject be called into active service
in Of emergency During these seven years they
main in their respective villages subject to regular drill
every week The consists at present Of infantry
100, 800 men, (36 regments;) cavalry 1920 men, ga
regiments;) artillery, 1900 men in garrison, about
900 total $50. The reseru consists Of about
ITO 600 To the above to be added the regular
conngents Of the tributary proynces Of Tuns II 600
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