The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-06
Abdul Kerim's Plan to Catch the
Russians in a Trap.
1.-THE SPIDER AND THE FLY"
Bombardment of Rustchuk and
It's Effects.
CRUELTIES ON BOTH SIDES.

on both sides for great battle which almost
tain to take place before you receive this letter.
have news from Tchervenavoda up TO Saturday night,
and from the details Of military movements given me
by your special correspondent ,here-which for OBJ
vious reasons, 1 cannot commun cate-I am en-.
couragcd TO think that tho Russians may possibly bs
tho victims Of ovcrconnuenco in themselves They do
appear TO have been we'll informed OF tho move
mcns and positions of the Turkish forces which have
been mannuvrcd In such nystifying way that oven
on the spot, II would be difficult TO say given mo
mcn what Is tho strength at y particular point
Thousands OF men como and so during tho night In
tho principal strongholds. To-day the camp may DO
swarming with troops and the morning ono may
wander through largo portions Of the canvas city
without cncouuterng single soldier 1t is alive
again, however; and SO II goes on, q continual
tux and refux These movements prob
ably with q not only TO exercise tho
troops, but to puzzle the enemy, assuming
that he obtains information OF what goes
on. Tho Russians arc advancing over tho ground
evacuated for strategic roasons by the Turks tho
latter will have the advantage OF fighting under tho
most favorable conditions they would them.
selvoa
ABDUL KBRIa's PLAN.
The Comm ander in Chief has been snosred ut By
certain croakers In Constant,nopo for not having
plan of campaign, but he not only Ia putting q CON-
prchensvc plan into execution but ovory that
has been made up the present has inspired greet
confidence, not only among Turks, but among foreign
military men. Apropos Of this plan It Ia re-
lated that 1t from Moltke who was
q school fellow of Abdul Kerm Pacha II
s said that the latter teloyraphed to Moltko for
plan OF campaign against the INVADER and received II
paying the expense OF special courier The truth
Of the story somewhat shaken by the addition which
always accompanies 1t, that Moltke has been equally
obging TO the Russians l cannot say exactly what
the Turkish plan -, and what do know about
must keep 10 myself until Its accomplishment; but
speaking generally, may soy that the evacuation OF
Bola by the Turks and their allowing tho Russians to
occupy Tirnova, Pievna anu Selw-which must %
taken to be part Of the pan-eads suppose that
tho plan may DO kened to tho fable of the spider
Ay Up tho present the Russians have play the part
Of fly TO periection remains TO DO whethor the
spider will do his work eectualy. II has long been
the opinion OF some military out hero that tho
Russians would make bold dash Of cavalry across
country TO Sofa aud scizo tho railway regardless of
what happened in their rear Tho advantage of this
stroke would be that the Bulgarans knowing the
real state Of affairs, would think the Russians had
already conquered the country and would at rise
to help them to hnsh the work. The Bulgarians, In
all probability, would again ind they bad been made
caispaws Of but they arc used 70 that Other
sage the Russians too prudent to risk such for
lorn hope" They would have Rustchuk In The
rear with large army corps that tho destruction
of the advancing would DO almost mathematical
certainty. A. present VIC have our choice Of these
hypotheses-eithsr that tho Russians going ad-
reckessly SO as to rouse the country to rebel
lon that they preparing 10 10y sioge to Rust
chuk. This latter appears TO DO the most probable
theory, tho Russian forces which advanced the
Jantra TO Monastir commenced Two days ago firing
with artillery upon The Turkish forces and battle Is
expected At any moment; oven now 1t may be taking
place. The battle at Bjcla the other day appears to
have been much exaggerated, as your correspondent
does not givo any account oft
RusrcHrK WAS BoxRARDEp.
The bombardment Of Rustchuk coased last Tuesday
For days previous II had been remarked that the
enemy only firing small shells, whence IL con-
cludcd that the large siege guns had been removed
other point, probably opposite Silstria How
over may be- It Is most likely that the Russians
had at last to the conclusion that knocking down
houses a mere waste Of ammunition and that
enough had been dono In the way Of promiscuous de-
ssruction to satisfy tho uneducatcd craving Of SOL
diory The Russians have not obtained the slightest
military advantage by all the shells they have thrown
into Rustchuk; on the contrary, thoy have stimu.
lated the ardor Of tho Turkish troops
and have brought down destruction on Giurgovo
As to this latter consideration, perhaps Il did not
weigh with theIn Gurgevo, after all, belongs nom
inally to Turkey In any case, II Is not part Rus
sia, and that accounts for the gene with which tho
Russians brought about It's destruction. For many
days Giurgevo Games In orc part or another
and, we'll as ono could judge from Rustchuk, the
town must be almost destroyed In Rustchuk the
Turkish quarter to the last moment the target
and, OF course the damage dono very great.
Tho Bulgarian quarter spared for obvious
reasons. The great place, surrounded by tho
Governors palace, telegraph ONCE prison public
buildings converted into hospitals continued to re-
ocve particular attention. although these buildings
had been literally wrecked week before. They are
now fairly burnt down. II is rather surprising that
this spot was chosen the site for tho hospitals The
existence OF public Offices in proximity hospitals
gives colorado the Russians for firing into
the conspicuous cluster oil red-crcscent flags which
1oated over the buildings around tho square. IL
would have been very easy to have constructed sheds
out tho plain or In the vineyards the Of the
town, where the hospital tents are now pitched
DEFECTIVE HOSPITAL ARRANGEMENTS.
This hospital question ono which will subse.
qucntly have 10 be cleared up, as II IL not limited
merely the negligence bad mnistration of the
Turkish authorities respect tho disposition of
their hospitals, but extends to tho distribution oil tho
valuable medical outfits out by the Stafford House
Committee. ain in position to say that tho other
day, although twenty eight OF valuable Instru
ments aud material had boon received at
Rustcbux from the English committee, a d..
VISION marched TO Biea and arrived on tho Gold
without being provided with the slightest requisite Tor
tho ambulance service. Two English doctors VINO
were nobly doing their duty at RustchuK long after
other foreign doctors had Ned resigned account OF
the obstacles thrown In their way. but they now
RI Tim HorI
beng un,rammellcd by the jealousy OF incompetent
Turkish medical men, they are likely render even
more cfectual ala than they have hitherto done,
though they have worked untiringy. Mr.. harrington
Kennel, commissioner Tor the Stafford House Commit
tee arrived days ago, SO IT is hoped that no
more material or money will 80 astray. hear that
the previous consignncnts OF surgical Instruments,
&C., wcro sent through Ahmed vciyk Pacha; so, to
anticipate any possible reflection that gcntleman's