Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-06-20
The War.

LONDON, June l7.-As regards the
Europecn seat OF war, the principal
point worthy of remark has been an
extraordinary stringency of precautions
taken by the Russians to prevent any
thing transporting relative to their OPP
erations.
Although correspondents in Rouma-
pia number 800, not one of them has
been able to give any real information
which would assist the formation of an
opinion as to where the Russians in
tend to cross the Danube. This in
creased secrecy, taken in conjunction
with the issue of the DEGREES for
new loan, and large addition to the
army is interpreted by some, seem
ingly with good reason, as a sign that
Russia no longer hesitates, and that
important events may shortly be ex-
pected, as soon as the Danube, which
all accounts agree is falling, is in
condition to permit operations. OF
course under these circumstances the
opinions relative to the locality of the
Russian advance must be formed from
indications. observable from the South.
ern bank of the Danube. These OBJ
servations seem still to indicate that
somewhere not far from Metropolis is
the spot where the most serious effort
will be made. The Russians are max
ing a notable concentration of troops at
the mouth Of the river Bode and Alu-
ia, across which they have thrown
bridges. There is scarcely any doubt
that troops concentrated between these
two rivers form the operating army.
1t seems as though the Russians would
make an attempt to cross at this part of
the river, whilst getically engaging
Rustchuk with heavy artillery. This
latter conclusion is supported by the
arrival of good quantity of heavy ar
tillery, especially mortars at Giurgevo,
and by the fact that the Russians oc-
cupied the island of Stokan opposite
the town and are establishing batteries
there, despite the Turkish fire. The
Turks also think that the passage will
be attempted in force between Nicko-
polls aud Sistoval, and have consider
ably reinforced the camps and garrisons
at those places.
LONDON, June II. In Asia the
principal feature Of this week has been
a partial withdrawal of the Russian
right wing aud the closer investment
of Kars and Batoum. The total Rus
sian force available for active operations
in Asia Minor is about 10000; of
these 4O, 900 are around Kars, 10000
between kars and Batoum, and 80, 900
between Kars and the line of Bayazid
and Toprak Kali, thus leaving but
10000 for the centre agains, Mukh-
tar Pasba's 40, 700 in strong position.
These figures show that the Russians
have no men to spare if they intend to
keep the country they have so far oc-
cupied; though, if their object were
simply to effect a rapid advance and
defeat the Turks. as preliminary to
peace, there ls nothing to prevent them
doing SO. 1t is confirmed from several
sides that the Russians are not bent on
rapid operations of this latter kind,
but on the contrary are doing their
work thoroughly and Systematically.
taking the administration of the coun-
try as they advance. This former Sand
Jak Of Schuragel is now completely
incorporated with the Russian under
the Russian civil government. 1t
seems that in obedience to this plan of
consolidating their conquests and max
ing all sure behind them, the Russians
will make no attack in the direction of
Erzeroum until their centre and left
wing are quite free and prepared to
cooperate tsereln