The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-04-20
From the ". 7, Daaiy Tribune.
The European War.

crossed the Lower Danube, some sc, 600
strong, in three corps under the immedi-
ate command of Prince Gorchakoff, Gen.
Luders and Gen. Oushakoff, and have oc
cupied a part of the Turkish district of
Dobrudja. This district belongs to the
province of Bulgaria, and is a narrow
plain inclosed on the west and north by
the Danube,-which bends northwardly
at Chernowoda, and makes large detour
before reaching its mouth,-aDd on the
east by the Euxine. A large part of the
district is marshy and liable to be over
flowed; it contains several fortresses, such
as those Of Babadagb, Isaktsha, Matshin
and Tultcha, which it is stated have been
captured by the Russians, but this report
our wcll-informed London correspondence
pronounces mere stock -jobbing inven
ton. Between the plain Of the Dobrudja
and the interior of Turkey the Balkan
stretches its protecting chain. The Rus
slams are no nearer Constantinople than
they were previous to this movement, and
have gained by it no new advantage over
the Turks. In fact, it seems perfectly
clear that it is merely defensive move
ment, indicating simply their intention to
withdraw from the most western portions
of Wallachia. Their entire force in Wal
lachia mustered seven divisions of infant
ry, one reserve division at Ismail, and
further back the corps of Tscheodajeff,
numbering three divisions, which is now
supposed to have reached Jassy. The
eight divisions together with the cavalry,
arc hardly above 10000 strong. Con-
sidering the possibility of the landing OF
an Anglo French corps on the north-wes-
tern shores of the Black Sea, menacing
the Russian rear, it is plain that the OBJ
ject occupation of the Dobrudja is to Sc
cure the Russian flank with the smallest
possible sacrifice of ground. There were
butt means ofsecuring position which
would guard them against the danger of
being cut of, either direct retreat up
on the Sereth, making the Lower Danube
their line of defense, with Fokshani, Cal
atch and lsmail as supporting points; Or
to dash at the Dobrudja, with their front
leaning upon Fostcndje, Hirsova, Often
itza and Bucharest; the wall of Trajan,
the Danube and the Argish to be the first,
Busco the second and the Scre.h the
third line of defense. The latter plan
was decidedly the best, as for the terrain
abandoned on the one side a new one is
gained on the opposite flank, which gives
to the retreat the character of an advance,
and saves the military paint dh057ne1tr of
the Russians. The possession of the Do
brudja shortens the Russian front, allow
ing them, in the worst case, to retire up
on Chotim on the Dniester, even if a land
ing should take'place at Akerman or O.
dessa. For the details of the maneuvers
by which this change in the Russian po-
sition has been effected, we have yet to
wait
Ncxtiniutcrestis the moral certainty that
the Greek insurrection will be supported
by what influence belongs to the monar-
chy of Greece, the king and Queen both
having gone to the frontier to encourag &c
the insurgents. In the emergency war
between Greece and Turkey, backed by
the allies, is nearly inevitable, adding to
the complications if not seriously increas-
ing the dangers Of the general conflict
On the other hand We have the news OF
another proposal Of peace from the Gar
himself, communicated by way of Prus-
sia. Nicholas offers to settle the quarrel
if the allies will obtain from Turkey an
act Of complete emancipation for all her
Christian subjects. In that case he will
evacuate the Principalities when the al
lied feet passes the Dardanelles. Had
these terms been openly profered sooner
they might have greatly diminished the
chances of the war, as there is no doubt
that the allies mean to procure just such
an emancipation, and refusal to admit at
least part oft has already led to the dis
missal by the Sultan of two important
members of his government. But the
offer cannot probably now prevent the
war; for to the allied fleet a French and
English army is now added, while Sir
Charles Napier will have probably at
tackled and taken Alaud before new or
ders could be sent out and reach them
Still this proposal may have a greater
importance than we are inclined to at
tribute to it; on that head We shall doubt
less have full information by the next
steamer.
Amid all this confusion and uncertain
ty, one thing alone seems clear, and that
is the extinction of the Moslem power as
a distinct polity in Europe. The eman-
cipation of the Christians of Turkey,
whether effected by peaceful concession
or by violence, degrades Islamism from a
political authority to a religious sect, and
utterly uproots the old foundations of the
Ottoman Empire. 1t not only perfectly
the truth of the Cars state
ment, that the Ottoman Porte is laboring
under dangerous malady, but cuts the
patients throat by way of medication.--
After that operation the Sultan may pos
sibly be retained as political fiction up
on the throne of his fathers, but the re al
rulers of the country must be looked for
1