The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-11-15
THE TURKISH WAR.


weeks, both in Armenia and Bulgaria,
have been more successful than at any
time since their invasion of Turkish soil.
That the Russians found the subjugation
of Turkey far more difficult than they
anticipated when they declared war is
apparent from the delay Of their armies
in accomplishing any decided results and
the defeats with which they have met.
The Turkish power was far greater than
the Russians had any conception, and
their soldiers more efficient and valorous
than they had credit for. Behind their
Notifications and within their strong
holds they have fought with a valor
worthy of their ancient fame, and their
successes have surprised the nations of
Europe. It was not thought, however,
that power weak as Turkey could sue
cessfully contend with Russia, which for
centuries has ranked as one of the first
powers of the world. The common fate
of weak nations contending with strong
ones seems to await Turkey. Although
the Generalship of the Russians has been
anything but good, the force of numbers
will prevail, and without the interposi-
ton of other powers the fate of Turkey
will be sealed. In Armenia the Turkish
armies have been signally defeated, and
their two strong holds, Erzeroum and
Kars, inverted by the Russians, and un-
less Muhkta Pasha, commanding at
Erzeroum, promptly receives reinforce
ments, both these places must surrender,
and with their surrender the whole of
Armenia will fall into the hands of the
Russians, and, once in their power, the
Turks can never recover it by arms. The
Russians have also been successful in
several engagements in Bulgaria. They
have invested Plevna, and Osman Pacha
is now cut off from his bases of supply,
and cannot hold out many days longer
unless he is relieved by the forces under
Mehemet Ali and Chevket Pachas, which
is not probable, as they would have to
meet the Russians in the open field.
Osman Pacha's men are said to be de-
serting in large numbers on account of
privations and hardships. Osman's sit
uation is now so critical that it seems he
will be forced either to surrender his
army or to cut his way out through the
Russian forces. The Turkish reverses of
the last two weeks have produced great
excitement in Constantinople. There
has been for some time peace party in
Constantinople, with which the Porte is
said to sympathize, but the war fever is
so high that even the authorities are
afraid to advocate it.. Placards were
posted at Stamboul calling on all patriots
to rise against the government, as it was
secretly negotiating with the Russians,
and to murder Mahmond Damad Pacha.
Forty of the principal servants of ex-
Sultan Murad were arrested and put to
death because of their engaging in con-
spiracy to reinstate Murad on the throne.
The excitement was greatly increased by
the rumor circulated by the advocates OF
peace that the Prophet had appeared to
the Sultan and ordered him to conclude
q peace. If the Turks should be induced
to believe this, peace will soon be made,
unless the terms prescribed by Russia
should be too burdensome, and the
Prophet should again appear and order
tl,sn, IL, 56g5f5 IN sft,e bitter enc. ~