Washington sentinel., 1854-06-18
From the London Times, June /.
OperatiOns on the Danube.

Operations on the Danube.
It is said that the Turkish fortresses on the
Danube are capable of very considerable resis-
tence, and that the Russians at the outset Of
the campaign are losing prodigious numbers OF
men in attacking them. The attempt to carry
Silistria by coup de main not having suc-
ceeded, ii the siege is to be opened by regular
approaches the operation is not likely to be a
short one. The place is well garrsoned, well
commanded, and according to the last ac-
counts, completely prepared for a siege Of some
duration; we venture, therefore, to speak of
the probability of its resistance with more con-
6dence than we felt some days back. Rutschuk
and Rassoya, above and below Silistria, are still
in the hands of the Turks and, although they
would probably not hold out very lcng after the
fall Of the greater fortress, they have not yet
been regularly attacked. But, though we do
not underrate theimportance of these positions,
and we know that their garrisons are render
ing incalculabe services to the common cause
by their resistance to the enemy, these fortified
places are in reality the outworks Of the Turk
ish position, and do not constitute its principal
strength. Bulgaria is defended by the line of
the river, and by the line of the Balkan; but
the latter is the real bulwark Of the Ottoman
empire, and it can profit the Russians nothing
to carry the outer line Of decentralization with
heavy loss, if fresh obstacles of incalculably
greater magnitude rise up before them as they
proceed. The further they advance within this
region north Of tie Balkan, the worse their po-
sition becomes. The bulk OF their army is ex-
posed to the pestilential marshes of the Danube
during the summer, while the allied forces oc-
cupy the heights.
At this season Of the year abundant pastur-
age may be found for the horses and oxen of
the army, but in few weeks hence it will be
consumed and burnt up. The invading army
exhausts its strength against the fortified places
on the river and the scattered detachments of
the enemy but, in the meantime, the forces
in defence of the main position remain com
paratively fresh and unbroken. Behind the
lines of the Balkan a European army is pre-
pairing to advance at the proper time with ir-
resistible force, and concluding months Of the
campaign ought to effect the annihiation of
the enemy. If such be the plan of the allied
generals, they would in fact, apply to the STRAIT
egical arrangements of the campaign the same
same principle which regulates the tactics ofa
great battle-to hold the defensive in an adj
vantageous position as long as possible, and
then at the return Of the day to assume the
offensive and rout the assailants. We speak,
of course, alphabetically, for, whatever be the
plan formed in Varna or Shumla, it can only
be known by its results. But we are confirmed
in the opinion we have limited at by the fact
that very considerable portion of the expedi-
tionary force remains at GalEpoli, whence it
will probably advance by way Of Adrianople to
to the rear Of the Balkan, distance not ex
ceeding 160 miles; while the troops already
at Constantinople may proceed by sea either to
Bourgas bay or to Varna. The last intelli-
gence received from Constantinople, and dated
22d of May, expressly states that Adrianople
is to become the headquarters of the allied
armies and this decision concurs with infor-
nation which had reached us as to the general
plan of the campaign.
The conduct of great operations of war diff
fers SO materially from the mere impulse Of
fighting, and ultimate success in these achieve
ments depends so much on a strict adherence
to the principles of the art Of warfare, that we
cannot too strongly urge upon our readers and
the public to suspend their Judgment upon
movements and occurrences of this nature,
which must in the first instance be very imper-
fectly understood by the lockers on. No one
would presume to decide on so much as game
of chess by the first moves but in the great
and terrible game on which the eyes and mind
Of Europe are now intent, we all know that the
honor, security, and welfare of the mightiest
empires are at stake, and that the interests we
have so deeply at heart will best be served by
confidence in the generals upon whom this en-
ormous responsibility has been laid. Tocom-
mence contest Of this serious kind by rushing
at the enemy where he is strongest and best
able to defend himself, and before our own re-
sources are perfectly collected and prepared.
for action may be an act of foolhardy valor ;
but it would indicate total want of that judg
ment which is the most essential condition of
success. The question is not how the allied
generals will begin this war, but how and
where they will end it; not where they are to
make their first push against the Russian bat
talons, but how they are to conduct their OPP
erations to the eventful destruction of the enc
mys power in the field; and we have no doubt
that the measures they have determined upon
are those best calculated in their judgment to
secure that object, and to win for themselves,
for their troops and for their country the prizes
Of a successful war.
The commanders.in.c chief Of the allied forces
in Turkey, Marshal st. Arnaud and Lord Rag.
Ian, accompanied by the seraskier or minister
of war Of the porte, proceeded in separate
steam vessels, on the 18th of May, from Con-
stantinople to Varna, to hold council of war,
and to determine the operations of the cam
pnign. According to some accounts, it was ex-
pected that Admirals Hameliu and Dundas
would Also attenu TINS meeting, but ut any rate
it is known that the French and English gen.
erals have had an interview with Omer Pasha,
the result of which was highly satisfactory to
the chiefs of the allied armies, and probably
equally so to the Turkish general We NAV
presume, therefore, that the next operations Of
the troops have been discussed and determined
with that particular knowledge Of the resources
Of the Turkish army and of the nature Of the
country which Omar Pasha possesses, while
Marshal st. Arnaud and Lord Raglan have
considered the subject with the science and
Judgment Of their respective stats. This con.
ference must have taken paee at the very time
when the Russians under Prince Paskiewitsch
were directing their 6ercest attacks against the
fortress Of Silistria, and, consequently the prin.
cipal officers of the allied army werein the best
position to decide on the measures which might
be taken for the relief Of that place. Their de-