New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-18
WAR SCENES AND TOPICS.
PASSES IN THE BALKAN.

1t is now known that the Russians have fol-
lowed secret pass over the Balkan. Taer cavalry ad
vanced along brdlo-path leading from Dranova south
east to little village called yaTditza, from twelve to
eighteen miles northwest of Jeni Saghra. The
country which they traversed is, however, in
dicated by that OF the neighborirg passes. After
leaving TFnOva the road asccHds the Schibka
Pass, descending from its summit stceply to the
village OF the nSmc whence il follows along the
valley of the KaSlnli Ths latter district is described
being exceedingly fertile, the stream being bordered
by rows trees and the village surrounded with
orchards and gardens. On the third road-that,
namely. from 0sInan Bazaar by Kasan 10 Sync-arc two
old intrcnchmet which of Late have been again par
italy repaired kisan itself lies III deep hollow, aud
thence the way through cleft In the rocks,
a pass which, owing probably TO the great difficulty
which an enemy would experience ia forcing his way
through, has received the name OF the Iron Gate.
This gorge may, however, lie avoided by akiag
zgz9g and crcuitous path wnca leads from KasaD to
SchmnO Slivno. Here the descent from the highest
point of the mountains 10 SvnO and thence either
KaIln DObrOh, lies through district different III
character from the bsrren slopes on the north Fr
trees rose gardens cotton fields diversity the and
while still lies the Bulgarian Slopes the southern
are green with luxuriant vegetation.
The pass from Shumla to Tjalkavak and Dobrol is,
far natural difficulties concerned easily pTac-
ticaple as far as Talikavak Thence to Dobrol, how
ever the through narrow pass bordered
either by steep iutrvnctnentS also nave
been constructed which, if obstnstey defended would
render the passage Of invading force along 1t
treuely precarous enterprise. From Dobrol again the
road desccnds stecnly through ionS and defensibc
defle 10 Deb Ksmtik.
The pass from Kosladi by Pravad Jenioi TO Ados Is
barred near the small of Pravadi by ridge Of
rock which offers natural fortfcaton This obstacle
may, however also be avoided by following path
through the Klrk-Gen Pass, or pass of forty fords
so-caled because the road continually crosses and
crosses a small stream winch flows through the pass,
by taking the Jenioi road Both these latter routes
unite again on hight free from wood and cover. and
which consequently lends itself TO defensive arrange
ments These the passes taken by Diebsch in the
campaign Of 1929.
The defense, adds The Pal MAI Gazette OF length
ened mountain chain, through which there several
passes is, like the defense OF long line of river on
which there several points OF passage recognized to
be a difficult undertaking. but IL is pointed out by
writer in German military paper, that II the OF tho
defensive force is kept concentrated at convenient
central point with OF observation only pushed
forward into the mountains, IL ought, II capable OF
ncuvrng in the Held 10 be able 10 fall with the greatest
upon the heads Of columns deboucbng from the
dees, ana that therefore, especially as long Schumla
aud Narna, only OF these fOtIcsses Remains
in the hands Of the Turks the passage Of the Balkans viii
be critical enterprise for the Russians 10 under take