New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-06-26
THE SIEGE OF siLIsTNlA.

After an interval of time filed up by military move
ments below criticism, because they were made, not
upon strategcal and tactical but upon diplomatic and
parliamentary grounds the investment and attack Of
siisria affords at last event Of military interest
This attack shows that the Russians still keep the
initiative and that, up to the present moment the
Turks allied armies and allied fleets are directed ny
an impulse received from the enemy. The allied
fleets are nsnctivey, irreSstibly attracted by the
Russian feet in its safe retreat at Seyastopo being
unable to attack that stronghold without land force
they ere thus held in check and parayzci by fleet
far inferior in quality and number of ships. Even
the evacuation of the forts on the Caucasian coast,
carried out in proper time and under the nose OF the
British and French steamers, shows the determine
ton of the Russians to hold the lead as long as
possible. And in this is great thing 1t is
proof of superOrty-whether in numbers in quality OF
troops or in generashp. 1t keeps up the morale OF
the soldier under all checks and retreats short OF the
loss of decisive battle 1t this initiative which
held together WelngtOns little army in the midst OF
hundreds of thousands OF French troops in Spain,
and which made it the center around which all the
events of that FIVE years grouped themselves.
You may be forced to retreat you may suffer re-
to the enemy instead of receiving it from him, you
are still to degree his superior; and what is
your soldiers will feel themselves, individually aud
collectively, superior to his men. The attack upon
Silistria is. besides the first real forward move
ment Of the Russians since they completed the
occupation Of the Danube The entrance into
the Dobrodja was emnently defensive; short
ening of their front line and step to secure
the mouths Of the Danube. But the attack upon 81
stria is not only bold, but extremely well caleu
lated movement
In Is2s-29 the Russians, then masters Of the Black
Sea- very properly neglected siistria in order to Sc
cure Varna first, because Narna opened new line OF
accommodation with their own country. Yet
siistria was important enough toiuduce them to take
il before they crossed the Balkan. At present when
tle allied fleets comm and the Black Sea Varna loses
most of ito Importance TO The Russians and siiistria
and Shumla are the main points of attack. To them
Vsrna can now have but negative value; If they take
IT, they gain no improved base OF operations, but
merely deprive the enemy of what may BE- called a
maritime bridge-head, under Of which be can
suddenly concentrate by his ships, number OF troops
for a special operation. Thus the Danes in l-i9
after enticiug the Russian army into J1tland sud
maritime bridge head of Fredercia and in sally,
destroyed the fine, but far weaker Seheswg Holstein
corps left before il conduct the siege ftherefore
the Russians driven from the Black Sea- cannot under
any circumstances pass the Balkan before they have
secured Nsrna, they cannot advance against Varna
before they are masters st least Of Silis;rs.
But these are considerations Of secondary mpOr-
lance for the present. Russia, unaided by Austria,
cannot think OF passing the Balkan in the isce of her
present enemies. The defensive importance Of ss-
tria 10 the Russians is at this moment paramount;
it is such that unless they take it, they msy
consider their csmpsign of th year % lost. Ss,ra
is situated exactly in front Of the center Of the Rus
sian position, extending from Gurgeyo by kalarash
md TsLernayoda TO Kustendje. With strong system
of fortresses before this position, with 0mer Pasha
in Sluna, like spider in the center Of its web,
watching every movement of its Intended prey with
allied forces expected On the KsItchik and Devna'
there is very little chance that TIE force Russia
spare for the Da1ubian single-handed will eveI
get glimpse Of those Thraeau valleys whose yerdurC
chsIuel the fs;isucd soldiers Of Nebitch from Tx