The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-18


Iartokai Is on the direct line to the exceedingly im.
porant strategic positions OF Shumla and yarna; the
shores OF the river either SIDE are firm and prac-
ticable, The distance being 1000 yards The
Demoowicsa River, which flows through Bucharest,
falls into the Danube opposite Turtokai, and the Two
places are barely nIty niles apart concentration
Of the Russian forces at Bucharest might therefore
dcate that tho passage OF the would be attempted
at 0tcnitza, which Immediately opposite TO Turtokai
In the war Of 1s10 the Russians attempted to cross at
Ostrova forty miles above Ncopolis early as March
H. but the attempt failed It was May before tho
army set loot on Turkish soil In the great war Of
1923 he Russians unable to cross the river at
0en'szs. owing to the erection OF fortcations Of
Turiokai and the point chosen Satunovo, small
town between Ismah ana Isaktchi. and within fhy
mi les from tho mouth Of the river.
RBcoySoIssAxoE.
The immense difficulties OF q passage at this place
were successfully surmounted juno o. mainly by
the assistance OF body OF Laporogua Cossacks, who
ferred ana took In flank the Turkish army
gathered 70 oppose the passage 10 TIE following year
tho two corps OF tho Russian army which had wnscred
In Waiacha we're thrown tho river tue montk
OF Nay A. two points, In the Dobrudscba and
Kslarasch, near Silistria The celebrated campaign
which ensusd brought the Muscovte troops to The gates
OF Adrisnople and the Ggean Sea. OF the mpsign
40 the subsequent invasion Of the Crimoa by tho
new ground-Irom Turkish to Russian soil. Since that
time 80 complete change has taken place 10 the art
Of war thst tho experience OF past campaigns Along
the line OF the Danube affords but little clew to the
possible operations OF tho still impending invasion.
The railway, tho telegraph and the krupp gun have
revo utioDzed warfare, and must have d remarkable
influence upon all operstons, offensive and defensive,
the line Of the Danube. Tho whole OF Wallachia
and MoldavIa are now intorsected by line Of railway
which connects the important towns OF Jassy, Gaaiz
Bucharest, Giurgevo and Krajowa. aud EXTENDS stIl
further westward 10 the very frontier OF Serva. or
course this line OF railway has been Of vast impor-
TANGO In distributing the Russian forces along tho base
OF operations although it be horne In mind that
be moved even BY rail
Won Moltke in his history Of the campaign OF 1923
states that the Russian plan OF operations WAS 10
promptly take varna defeat the Turks before Shuna
and then strike hard aud sharp Consta ntinope and
no adds that circumstances and the theatre OF so
clearly indicate this TO BIO the best plan that It would
probably be followed In The future Russia with
Turkey.
CAMPAIGN ooxJEcruREa
But besides the general changes already alluded TO
having changed the conditions OF warfare two Inn
war Of ls77:-(p Turkey now has command OF tho
Black Sea, and Varna cannot be made Russian port:
~ Serv.a Is now available = base Of operationA
Both these facts may operate In removing the passage
OF the Danube in the present campaign the west
ward OF Rustchuk 1t Is probable that this cam pagn
may di1er IRON all that have preceded II that the
objective points will lilo lar away from Dobrudscha
the ancient battle ground and lac OF invasion What
these objective points are u Ia impossible course
TO assert but have strong to believe that the
fortress OF Rustch uk will be Of hom and further
that invasion IN force will DO mado BY way OF Ne
gotin. In Servia, directed upon Nisch and Sophia
glance at . map Of Turkey viii show that the three
main lines Of railway in the country from north.
weet 70 southeast, parallel 10 another Tho
northernmost OF these three limos 10 that between
Tchernavoda and KustendjL and can scarcely
play any important part in the campaign
but the other two lincs-namcy, that from Rustchuk
70 Shuma and varna and that from Tatar Basarjik to
Philippopos, Adranople and Constantinopl of
tho utmost importance suocessful campaign on
the former line would lay Bulgaria the mercy OF The
invader, whlc to large Russian force operating from
Serva aong the latter line there 10 absolutely no
physical obstacle whatever the direct Con-
stantinope, the line Of tho Balkans boing turned In
flank. Whatever may be the Russian plan of opera
tIons Il will meet with powerful and desperate re-
sistance The Ottoman troops are confident and
eager to be atsacked they are healthy, fairly clothed
and fed land In the matter OF clothes and 6oi they
want less than any other troops In Europc armed
with tho best modern Weapons Tho Russians have
had ample timc to mature thor plan OF attack aro
certainly every way we'll equipped their advcr-
sares, and far Superior in their organization and
missnrat Who can predict tho result Of tho ssrus-
gef
Leaning the other day, one Of long row, on the
rail OF tho hotel garden overlooking the RIVER and
gazing at the newly finished battery the opposite
shore, remarked TO Turk who Was next 70 me that
unaided tho onslaught OF his enomy crooching for
the spring behind the Roumanian hills He merely
replied, with agrave but confident smile, s.Bakaium'-
shall sse-an answer which did not admit Of fur
Their conversation. but thoroughly expressive Of
tho slkuAtlon.