, 1854-08-12
The War in Europe.
THHE ENGLISH, FRENCH AND TURKISH coMMAN.
DERS-IN-cHIEF IN 4 COUNCIL OF WAR.
IFrom the London Times lime

] FORCES III turkey, MARSHAL 81. Arnaud and
Lord Raglan, accompanied by the Seras-
kier or Minister of War of the Porte, pro-
ceeded in separate steam vessels, on the
18th Of May, from Constantinople to Var
ma, to hold a Council of War, and to de-
termine the operations Of the campaign.-
According to some accounts it was expect
ed that admirals Hamelin and Dundas would
also attend this meeting, but at 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 sat
isfaetory to the chiefs Of the allied armies,
and probably equally SO to the Turkish
General. We may 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 Omer Pacha possesses, while
Marshal St. Arnaud and Lord Raglan
have considered the subject with the sci
ence and Judgment Of their respective stalfS
The conference must have taken place at
the very time when the Russians under
Prince Paskiewitsch we're directing their
fiercest attacks against the fortress of Si-l
listria, and consequently, the principal Off
GERS Of the allied army were in the best po-
sition TO decide on the measures which
might be taken for the relief Of that place. |
Their determination appears to have been
that it is not expedient to expose the Turk
sh army to the risk of a general action for
the sake Of repeling the attack Of the Rus
SLAMS on the fortresses which cover the
right bank of the Danube. Neither is II
supposed to be their intention to throw any
considerable portion Of the allied armies
on the coast, so as to come into immedi-
ate collision with the advanced post of the
Russians. If we are right in conjecturing
that the operations contemplated are of
different nature, although they may disap-
point the natural impatience of the public,
We can only hope that experience will show
that the decision Of the French and Eng
lish commanders is based on sufficient
grounds. 'fa rr-
II is said that the Turkish fortresses on
the Danube are capable Of very copsidera-
bic resistance, and that the Russians, at
the outset Of the campaign, are losing pro-
dgious numbers of men in attacking them
The attempt TO carry Siistria by coup de
main not having succeeded, il the siege is
to be opened by regular approaches the
operation is not likely to be short one
The place is well garrisoned, well COM
manded, and, according 10 the last accounts,
completely prepared for siege of some du-
ration, we venture, therefore, to speak of
the probability of its resistance with more
Nkan cal H., hoo 81
Rustchuck and Rassova, above and below
Silistria, are still in the hands Of theTuks;I
and, although they would probably not
hold out very long after the fall Of the
greater fortress, they have not yet been
regularly attacked But, though we do
not nnderrate the importance Of these posi-
tions, and we know that their garrisons
are rendering incalculable services to the
common cause by their. resistance TO the
enemy, these fortified places are in reality
the out-works Of the Turkish position, and
do not constitute its principal strength
Bulgaria is defended by the line of the riv-
er, and by the line of the Balkan !, but the
latter is the real bulwark Of the Ottoman
empire and 1t can profit the Russians
nothing to carry the outer line Of circum-l
yallation with heavy loss, if fresh obstar
cles Of Incidentally greater magnitude rise
up before them as they proceed. The fur
ther they advance within this region north
of the Balkan, the worse their position
becomes. The bulk Of their army is ek-
posed to the pestilential marshes of the
Danube during the heats of summer, while
the allied forces occupy the heights At
this season Of the year abundant pasturage
may be found for the horses and oxen Of
tho army, but in a few weeks hence it will
be consumed and burnt up. The invading
army exhausts its strength against the for
tilted places on the river, and the scattered
detachments Of the enemy but, in the
meantime, the forces IN defence Of the main
position remain comparatively fresh and
unbroken. Behind the lines Of the Balkau
European army is preparing to advance
at the proper time with irresistible force,
and the concluding months Of the campaign
ought to effect the aDnihilation of the enc
my. If such DO the plan Of the allied gen
erals, they would, in fact, apply to the
strategicai arrangements Of the campaignl
the same principle which regulates the tao
tics of q great battle---to hold the defen-
siye in an advantageous position as long as
possible, and then at the turn Of the day
to assume the offensive, and rout the assqil- |
ants. We speak, Of course, alphabetically, |
for, whatever be the plan formed in Vurna
or Shumla, il can only be known by its re-
suits. But we are confirmed in the opinion
we have limited at by the fact that a very
considerable portion Of the expeditionary
force remains at GalIipoli, whence it will
probably advance by way Of Adrianople to
the rear of the Balkan, distance not ex-
ceeding one hundred and sixty miles; while
the troops already at Constantinople may
proceed By sea either to BoHrgas Bay or