Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-08-04
From the London Times, July ID.
Engl,sh Views or the Aspect of the War.

The last intelligence from the seat OF war on the
Danube leads US the inference that another great
and sudden change has taken placen the movements
and positions of the conendng armies, similar to |
those surprising and unforeseen incidents winch nave
hitherto marked the vicssitudes OF this campaign
A week ago the Russians were known to De IN tuIl
retreat The siege of Sllistria had been raised on
the 23d of June and the large army engaged in that
operation retired across the Danube with so much
precipitation that they left their baiterng train De-
hind them. Waachia said to be evacuated |
the head quarters OF the Russian army were WIN
drawn from Bucharest TO FokSchani and Jassy: the
AustIians were preparing to take peaceable posses
sion of WaIlachia and the only question scented to
be- upon the facts then known TO The world, whether
the Russians were about to concentrate their forces
in Moldavia or 10 retire altogether, the Monitcur
asserted behind the Pruth. We have no reason 10
sunpose that this intelligence erroneous or these
inierences incorrect but is evident either that fresh
orders have subsequently arrived from ST. PetersDnrg
or that different measures have been adopted since
Prince Pasdiewtsch has laid down his command
Possibly the conclusion of the treaty OF the I4fh OF
June between Austria and the Porte may have led to
more active measures. Certain il Is, however, that
the evacuation of Wallachia has not gone on as was
expected, while the Turks have assumed the often
sve on the left bank of the river and it is even re-
ported that a considerable detachment OF the Anglo
French army shares the honors OF their victorious
advance.
If the telegraphic dispatches which have been re-
ceved, stating that actions were fought by OH ar
are correct and that the Russian forces only succeed
ed in cutting their way, with severe loss, through The
Turkish divisions it is clear that the war has assum-
ed an entirely character and that instead OF de-
Tending the right bank ofthe Danube against the
Russians part of the allied forces have crossed the
river in pursuit of the enemy 1t was known by
direct accounts from Varna that The of the re
treat of the Russians from before Slsria had reach
ed the camp on the 26lh of June, and that Lord Car
| digan instantly despatched with detachment OF
! n tha In
five DAYS the Light Division Of the army could reach
the Danube and it is not to be supposed that Omar
Pasha would take the important resolution of moving
| forward with the main division of his army and OF
crossing the river without the assent and support OF
! the allied Generals Nothing however, is yet known
of these occurrences beyond the statement thai the
Russian forces at Giurgevo were attacked and de-
feated by an army said to consist of 10000 urk~
and - 900 or Il 600 OF the auxiliary corps. his
event would be- however, of the highest importance,
because it would show that the Russians are not re
treating from Walacha, though they may be driven
from it, and we trust it will turn out that our own
countrymen and our gallant allies have had some
! share in this achievement. At the Same time, we
must add that these details requ confirmation and
that great doubts of their accuracy entertained
by persons best able to Judge of the probability Of
such advance
! The want of beasts of burden TO convey the bag
gage of the troops, and tie want of supplies In a
country already exhausted by and at all times
thinIy Inhabited are causes which r,tard the
of the hest appointed army and ii is scarcely
probable that these difficulties have been far
surmounted in a few days as to enable the whole
force Of the allies to move TO The front. Their pres
ence at Farna had been urgently solicited bv Omar
Pasha, who foresaw the moral effect which their
approach would have both on his own troops and
those of the enemy. Accordingly we find that the
hope of being relieved by the allied armies was a
powerful incentive the brave garrison of Sstra to
prolOng the defence of that and, the other hand,
the beseigng army, already demorazed by the loss
of It's commanders and the failure of its attacks
fed at last from sheer dread of that army which
heard the cannon of the siege booming at distance
of so miles across the marshes of he Dobrudscha
The next letters from correspondents with the
army will enable us 10 Judge Of the course resolved
upon by the Generals under these circumstances ant
it is obvious that the plan of the campaign must have
under gone several changes from these rapid alterna
tons in the state OF affairs The expedition natural
ly commenced by laying the basis of a solid defence
of COnstantinOpe and the adjacent country Meas
ues were then taken to cover the line of the Balkan
which it thought might be attacked. But, con
trary to all expectations, the Russians were foed il
their first attempt on the forresses Of the Danube
and by the time our troops reached Vama the enemy
had retired before them The Turks said to have
- followed bem and if Omer Pasha has crossed thu
Danube in the centre of his position, and in front
5 the Russian army, he must have advanced with thu
main body OF his forces, conscious that he is support
ed by the AngiOFrench divisions AT the same time
such position would be one of consde able peril fol
the Russians they retreat fall back on their re
sources, while the Turks in their advance leaving
the base of their operations and may have TO
ter the Russian army strengthened by large reinforce
mems.
The Austrian government must now perceive tina
if their troops had entered Walachia, as bad beer
intended, on the Sd of July, this risk would have
been avoided 1t appears however, from the las
official arra published in the Vienna journals tha
Austria no longer expects to obtain from Russia th
pacific evacuation of either province Austria there
fore must proceed the treaty of the 2Otl
II april, and at the time she intimaes that il
e her Judgment, the old treaties between Russia
the Porte abogated by the war, and not to be re
81 newed but by special agreement. These are deca
!. rations bordering as closely possible aetna
hostilities. and it would seem that no further sum
mons is required to decide the question If Austria
however, still proongs her expectant but inactiv
= policy, the Russians will probably be driven fror
the Prnc qualities by other means, but he charace
i of the campaign will then be changed. Our reader
Q are aware that without losing sight of the defenc
OF ConsiantnOple and the evacuation of the Prime
l. paties it is especially in expedition to tn
e Crimea that we look for the attainment of the sub
saniial political objects of this war; and shoul
Is view with some regretany movement ht part of on
army, not absolutely required by the state Of aairs
l. which should divert our forces from that one grea
J. enterprise. The first condition of success in
to frame the comprehensive plan OF campaign. wit
Is due allowance for various and sometimes OppOsit
contingencies and then adhere 10 far as poss biz
~ One OF the reasons OF the contempt be figure whc
$ the Russians have made in these operations is tina
e their plan has been altered half dozen times an
J that no master mind has presided over the concepo
. and execution of the campaign. Let at least
|" VOID this fatal error, by which the nobest armie
Re may be sacrificed and frtered away
+ THE MONSTER SrEAMER.-The immense sore,
h and paddle steamer milling at The ward If ,eSr