The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-01-22
THE OLD WORLD.
DilirGItIrs OF a Eusso-TurlSi.I Wnr--A Lang
mud severe CnInpniEn. .l.pu'

Dy frceNC CuDIe luSilutCu, Ncu' fui
NToltke il reported rs predicting long
and severe campaign in cIlse the differ
cnccs between Russia md Turkey were
not adjusted by tho conference null ended
in war. Won AI0ltkc, besides being the
highest stlategical authority in Europe
served himself, before his first promo.
ton, rs Pr,isSian Colonel in one Of the
Russo Turkish wnrs, md llas written n
book upon it. Whether lie has publicly
expressed this opinion or not, says the
New York 1Tn'cs, all past cxpetfcnce Of
wars on the Dannbc will confirm its cor
rectness. In the wnr of 1929, which
ended in the peace Of Adrianople, the
Russian Army was nearly eight months
in advancing from the Pr1ith to the Bal.
kan, which mountains, indeed, they did
not fairly reach in that year. Tho Turks
were in miserable plight for defense, and
possessed then mono Of the modern Nr1rlt-
mcnt, and had not then adopted the motl-
ern European organization. Their forti-
fled places wero poorly strengthened and
defended, and they had no important de-
pots Of provisions. Yet, by their remark
able tenacity Of defense i'll the fortified
posts, they delayed each step Of the Rus
sian advance, and had their genius for
attack been equal to that for defense,
they could hive utterly cut to pieces the
A[uscovite army on the right bank Of the
Danube. as it was, the Russians met
with terrific losses both by battle and
disease, in tho first year Of the campaign,
md only reached the district n little be-
yond the Danube. They had then, also,
vessels Of war to support the flank of
their march over the Balkans. and along
the sen to Adrianople and Constantinople.
As to those mountains, the Turks, ut tint
period, did not seem to fully appreciate
their Importance, and the passes were
not well fortified. The great deFensGs
relied upon were the fortified posts at the
front of'tliein, ShrmlN, in tile interior,
and Varna, on the sea. III, s,-r q
It should, however, be said for the
Russians in that campaign that; owing
TO dread Of alarming Europe, they en-
tered the contest with very inadequate
army, and fearing for theisaicty'ot Po-
land, left large forces i'll that disturbed
country, aud broke up their invading
army BY llselessly occupying the. princi-
palities. Many stupitL ,blrllders, too,
were made in their conduct OF the cam
paign, yet III TINT respect they were not
unlike their opponents. Among other
iileiicicucies, they were entirely lacking
in air efficient light ;caSalry.l Though
the Turks were finally beaten, and made
peace very disastrous to themselves,
yet it is believed by good authorities TINT
Ind the sultan held out little longer,
the necessities of Russia would have
compelled her to make u peace very tlif-
ferent in its results to both countries.
Without considering other wars, many Of
our readers will remember the obstinate
defense by the Turks under English Off;
Gers, of Silistria and other fortified
phccs on the Danube and in Asia, i'll tile
war of 1876. IN that struggle the te.
nacity Of the Ottomans fairly compelled
the Russinns to retreat, with heavy
losses. and to leave tho Turkish side Of
the Danube Uninyaicl and secure.
IN weighing the possibilities OF the
coming wilr-if war there shOnld bc-be-
tween Russia md Turkey, we, arc to re-
member TINT the sultan has now a very
large army md thoroughly equipped.
When the arnisticc WIS declared, the
whole Turkish force under arms
amounted iii actual numbers to some
300, 900 men, with GGG Kr1Ipp guns, and
Is, 600 cavalry. The full number which
can he called ont, when the enullment is
complete, is roc, 900 men, with Si2 gnDs,
and, in addition, some 10000 Zap
tick" or veterans, and 10000 Circassiall
cavalry, the best light armed mOrauding
cavalry in the world. :.
The heavy Russian cavalry, it should
be borne in mind, Gre almost useless ii
tho muddy plains Of the Danube anl the
wild passes Of the Balkans. The Turk
ish infantry are, 10 Il large degree,
armed with improved guns. Then, all
the fortified pldces, whose Importance
liNs 80 often been tested in previous wars,
IRE put in better condition. The Dan.
ube itself makes formidable line" of de-
fcnsc; then behind it come places like
SilistriN, Shumla, Varna, and others,
ShumlA is n vlst fortified camp. Tarni
must be taken before any army would
venture to cross The Balkans und mnrcl
OH Adrianople. It would continually
threaten tho flank and rear Of the invAd
| ing forces. But Varna is OIL the sea, nnG
any power holding the sea could make i
imprcgnablc. Tho passes Of the BAL
knTs, though not more than from !, ,00t
to 5000 feet high, are yet easily capable
Of obstinate defense, and would be ex
ccetlingly difficult to occupy, unless tht
invading army hal feet to defend III
flank and furnish supplies. The Turk
would no doubt contest these mountain!
with the utmost tenacity, Nnd they wUtllt
form second and powerful line OF lie
fonsc. 1t is ut lcast five hundred milcl
from tho Danube to COnstuntin0ple, ant
the Russians have probably 10 fleet il
the Black sea to support their invading
columns. It will bc seen that the tnlint
Of COnstantinoplc, even were TurkC,
without allies, would be difficult task
nlll with England for supporter, wolllt
be impossible. Then, all recent histOr,
shows that the Russian management 0
campaigns is exceedingly laundering, 81
TINT the war would probably be protract
etl by tho mistakes Of the more powerful
c0mbatnnt. 4 RussO-Turkish wnr vii
certainly not be short one.
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