The New York herald., 1875-09-21
The Seat OF .varY in the East.

The Seat OF "War" in the East.
The revolt of the Christian subjects of the
Sultan in Herzegovina has attracted atten-
tion to very obscure portion of the Turkish
dominions in Europe. 1t would appear
from the telegraphic reports that the emealte
has assumed proportions and threatens COM
plications that warrant serious speculation
as to the result, because, like the Low Coun-
tries, the land of the Sclave has been for
centuries centre of political disturbance
from which a general war may at any mo-
ment spread over Europe. A glance at the
geographical and typographical features of
the seat of ''war" will enable our readers to
form some estimate of the chances of the
contending parties, so far as the physical
character of the scene of operations can
affect the issue, assuming of course, that the
situation is as grave as it is reported to be
and that the insurgents really mean fight
AS far as natural advantages of position are
to be considered as valuable to either side
the insurgents have decidedly the best of it,
because they fight with a familiar knowledge
of the extremely difficult ground ON which
the Turkish army is compelled to operate
in striving to reach its enemy. The great
mountain chain of the nlyrian Alps,
which separates the territory of Austriano-
Dalmatia from Turkey, has very few practica-
BILE passes for military operations, and all
these are located within the disturbed dis
tricts. The river Narenta, flowing into the
Adriatic, breaks through the mountains a
short distance south of Mostar, the Turkish
garrison town selected by the consular
representatives of the advisory European
Powers who will meddle in the business for
their conference. The town of Trebigne
threatened by the insurgents, is located
on the western side of the mountains, and is,
therefore, almost entirely cut off from assist
ance, except from the south, and this ap-
proach is guarded by the River Drin, which
may even now be held against the Turks by
Montenegrin force Montenegro possesses
quite an extensive coast line, favorably
located for the encouragement of blockade
running and the reception of supplies from
sympathizing outsiders The Montenegrins
on the Drin, and the mountain passes held
by the Herzegovinians, would give the insur-
the sea, which would form respectable base
of operations, with Trebigne for centre.
Should the Turks attempt, even with con-
siderable force, to penetrate the line of the
mountains near Mostar their flank and
rear would be open to attack from
the north, and in order to approach
the objective point they would have to cross
some six or seven rivers and streams of more
or less considerable importance, which lie
directly across their line of advance and
form so many natural lines Of defence to the
Herzegovinian territory. The sturdy Turkish
infantry can probably be led into these
mountain gorges, but cavalry and artillery
are useless indeed, q few hundred skilled
marksmen, such as can be readily collected
from among the mountaineers of the ulyrian
Alps, could hold one of these rugged passes
against division of troops. With the coast
line facilities already referred to for the
reception of supplies and the neutrality of
Austria the movement against Turkish rule
may result in the expulsion of the ''sick
man" from Europe. In any event the day is
not far distant when the Balkan chain and
the Hellenic Alps will mark the boundary of
Turkey in Europe. Austrian improvements
along the line of the Danube are not intended
for the joint benefit of the Turks. The
Russians are encamped ON the Pruth, as in
1858, and are awaiting patiently the march
of events.