The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-26
WAR NOTES.
TURKISH CONTRIBUTIONS.

The proceeds OF the voluntary con-
for the prosecution Of the war
IN Turkey amounted. up to February /,
1877, to 4O,35i, 1924 Turkish groshen, or
piastres.. about twenty-five .groshen
are equal TO one American dollar. OF
this amount the ministers OF the empire
and other public dignitaries have con-
tributed 1888, $50 groshen the inhabi-
tants of Constantinople, /, ,925 $40: OF the
302g0, 11O, and the Mussel-
mans Of India, 341 ,7o2 groshen.
sIurnla, the virgin Fortress.
IN. Y. Irbune.l
Shumla is town Of about 10000 peo- !
pie. and also one Of the strongest forti- |
flcations In Turkey. Roads from Varna,
e,sSlistria, and Kustchuk |
meet there. The town lies on the north |
slope OF the Balkan, about midway be-
tween it's crest and the lower Danube,
in a gorge. horse. shoe shaped, and In
closed on three sides by mountains. In
all the wars between Turkey and Rus
sia 1t has been the point uf eoneentla
tion for the Turkish forces. In the
vicinity Is an intrenehed camp capable
of accommodating from 10000 to $4,000
men. At the summit OF the cliffs which
surround IL is wide tableland, eRvered
With brush and underwood, intefbected
by narrow confined paths. The fortih-
cations which crown the nights are OF
great extent. Besides the strongly bas
toned wall, there are numerous de-
tached works, massive barracks, and
hospitals built since 1910. The most &C.
eessibls approaches are Guarded by
strong forts. It was burned by the En-
nerur Nicephorus In e11. The Turks took
it in 1887 and embellished and fortified
1t in 1Gs9 the work continuing for nine
ty years, mainly under the Grand Vizier
Hfssan whose tomb is the most notable
monument Ia the city. The Russians
attempted to take it in 1774. 1907 1910,
and in 1928, but without success. In
1863 its Notifications were greatly ex-
tended.
sitistria.
IN. Y Tribune
Silistria Ia strongly fortified Turkish
town, which has been prominent IN the
| wars Of the past hundred years. 1t has
population of about 10000. has sew
eral MOSQUES, a large Greek church aud
convent. capacious barracks and public
baths. It is very ancient city, and in
the vicinity are the remains Of fortifi-
cations which were erected during the
Byzantine Empire. In 1773 1t WAS be-
sieged by the Russians, and still again
In 1779, when they suffered severe
losses. Ia 1910 1t eapitulated the first
and only time but one in history. In
1898 another siege was laid and continued
several months. the Russians at last re-
firing. In 1929, however, it was re-
duced, and held as pledge for the pay
ment of an indemnity by the Porte.
When new troubles with Russia were
apparent in 1S4g- so, the Qualifications
we're greatly strengthened by the addi-
tion OF twelve detached forts, OF which
the one on the hill commanding the
town is said to be one of the best mill.
tary works of the time. In April, 1854
1t was Invested by an army OF $4,000
Russians. which was afterwards in.
creased to 10000, and a siege begun
which continued until near the 1st O
July. A bombardment was kept up fol
three weeks. midnight attacks wert
made. &c. 600 men attempted TO gain the
town, but all without success. The
Russians retired and retreated across
the river. It is recorded that SO, 900 sho
and shell were thrown upon the town
while the Russians lost 10 900 men ant
had 90, 900 laid up in hospitals.
obstacles TO Crossing the Danube.
The Coloane Gazette: The Turks hav
on the Danube feet Of sixteen, mostl,
iron clads, small, fast-sailing steamers
OF Krupp's breeeh-loaders, while th
Russians have no single ship Of tha
kind there. These men of war, which
everywhere can sail on the deep Dan
ube with facility AS far as the Austrian
frontier, might offer the greatest diff
cul les to the throwing out OF the Rus
sian pontoon bridges. Not alone that
but with their heavy cannon they coult
command the entire length OF the rive
at great distance, and consequentl
destroy the Russian pontoons. The,
: also can, by the power OF their rammin
against the already aeeomplishe
bridges, sever them and run down tn
single pontoons.
) To secure themselves against thes
hostile monitors the Russians have n
, !, other chance than to lay torpedoes with
in proper distances from the place
where they intend crossing, and s
+. bar the water. This laying OF torpedoe
under the fire of the Turkish batterie
from the high Bulgarian rocky shor
, will be venturesome enterprise for tn
Russian engineers. Then, before tn,
Russians have reached the Turkish tel
rtory, there first might be as interest
ing an engagement between the Turks
monitors and the Russian torpedoes a
. Europe has ever seen. Ii the Russian
SuUuiu AOU SNGGSJN AL aCSbAoythS oi
. Turkish monitors, or at least max
. them harmless, then their pontoo
, bridges are, even il their throwing
l happily effected, in great danger c
: being thoroughly destroyed by the hos
tile steamers. La this case an army aC
Q vanced to Bulgaria would be cut O
from its country, and could easily &c
into the greatest straits for want of an
; munition and provisions.
J Beyond the mouth OF the Pruth as ia
l as Taltscha the outlook is similar iron
the city Of Reni. Far extending lakes
! into which the streams from the mort
l disembogue, must hinder military OF
( erations. On the west from Galat;
Q where the Sereth with it's many tribute
ries empties into the Danube, the pros
pect is equally hazardous, but all thes
draw backs fail to render the occupatio
, of dalatz less important and desirabl
. !, from the Russian poiut OF view, since
and this should be strongly noted-Gs
+ latz is the only place in the long exter