The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-08
WAR NOTES.
KAEAFAT.
why the Turks Espu.t staer for IL.

The London Times Pera correspond
ent says that for the Turks to OCCUPY
halalht would be O. great waste of
strength, and be one OF those false
moves and strategical blunders which
at Che outset would compromise the sue
cess OF the campaign. The shortest and
easiest line OF Russian operations is. In
Inc hrst Instance at least, through the
southern portion of Bessarahia. eeaea
In 1866 to Roumania. to Ismail and Tult.
cha, where the three branches of the
Danube branch off and al that can be
asceftained about the dispersion Of the
hussian forces tends to confirm
the snpposition that they contemplate
crossing there Now. this point
is about three hundred English miles
u direct line from Kalafat, so that o
nank movement at that distance, even
OF an army far more movable than the
TURKISH, and which would have to cross
number OF large transverse rivers on
| It's way, would be laughed at. But even
supposing, as would no doubt be the
case later. that tho Russians came
nearer, and established themselves op-
postte Silistria, and even Rustehuk. or
had crossed there, this would still he
one hundred and sixty miles from Kala-
fat-that is, beyond thanking range. at
any rate of Turkish army. which has
difficulty enough in moving in it's own
country, and much more so in what
would be the height OF folly to send on
such an errand large force which
might be required to operate on the
right bank, and risk O collision with
Roumania, which could increase the
Russian army by an auxiliary force Of
at least fifty Thousand men.
Ii thus the Turks wish to occupy Kal.
afat merely for the purpose of gaining
possession OF O position which COM
mands Widdin. the advantage likely to
be derived would be out OF all proper
ton to the Disadvantages such measure
would almost inevitably bring with it.
Modern long range artillery has GER
talnly become o drawback to the Turk
ish fortresses on the Danube, az it
brings them within range of artillery
lire from the Roumanian bank Of the
river, and thus Widdin, the Qualifications
OF which extend along the bank. is now
commanded by the heights Of Kalafat.
But this is only the case to @ very linn
tied extent, for the heights do not lie
quite opposite to Widdin, but higher
up the river, so that the nearest
range will not be much under
three English miles, while the Turks
have, right opposite to Kalafat. on q
similar bluff, q strong work armed with
large krupp guns, which would give
quite. enoug h work to any artillery the
Russians might bring up on the heights
Of kalafat. There might, indeed. be
some Inconvenience to Widdin by an
occasional shell from Kalafat; but as to
any real danger from that side, it Ia
quite out Of the question. To run the
risk, therefore, OF making o new enemy
In Roumania would scarcely be wise on
the part OF the Turks. and so, in their
interest, it may be hoped that they will
leave alone such an operation, and take
away that large force which 10 of no use
wanted elsewhere.
Public sentiment in stambpnl.
tPaiis Temps, April 14l
The Mussulman nation is ready, il one
may Judge from appearances, to make
the greatest sacrifices. It will be ami
mated by the false but deeply-seated
idea OF the superiority Of it's army as
compared with that of Russia. In order
to give your readers an exact idea from
this interesting point Of view, will give
a resume OF the conversations which /
have held with several Mussulmans be-
longing to all classes of society:
The Russians need brandy in order
to fight" said one of them, u hadia, to
me, To us, our brandy is our faith
The Koran tells us that the pIeasantest
death. and the one which makes the
humblest Mussulman the equal OF the
padishab, Is that Of the warrior who
falls for Islam. III we should die re.
ceiving in the face wound from the
enemy, we would 20 right to paradise.
Each of our soldiers firmly believes
this. which explains his sobriety, his
discipline, and the facility with which
he deprives himself, without complaint,
OF wholesome nonrishment, camping
advantages, and even clothes, all neces-
sary things to the Russian army p"
But / observed, even il every
body should acknowledge the incon-
testible qualities Of your soldiers, you
have not, it seems, generals capable of
commanding great bodies of soldiers,
nor staff officer who understands the
secrets OF modern strategy. War now
adays Is q science which the Russians
possess. and which appears to be want
ing with you" your observation is
only too true" responded the badja,
"and some Of our co-religionists are
aware of the situation. In general ad-
ministration and in direction of the
army, we are deficient. We are In a
dark night. Our rulers, like glow
worms, illuminate this night only with
f1ickering lights. Meanwhile, in order
to disperse this darkness, we need sun.
We know it. But God is ell-Dowerful,
and as our cause Is just, He will cause
this sun to brighten our horizon"
There will be a million Mussul-
MANS" affirmed another. "The Rus
slams will not conquer the country until
we are all dead. Our good friends the
Europeans will then be very willing to
bury our corpses, were it only to pre-
serve themselves from epidemics
The purposes of war are thus melted
and interchanged in all Stamboul. Be-
fore taking the part OF those who en-
gender ignorance or spirit Of .fa1afar-
onade. which is very much developed on
the banks Of the Bosphorus, one should
remember, after an observation Of the
public spirit, that war is very popular
among the Mussulmans. The respecta-