, 1877-02-24

WOuIu become the any or the OultanI anu Luo
Russians, suffering from fever and ague, would
at the same time be unable to advance except
BY the roads, which are by no means numer.
Gus, Another popularity favourable to the
defence of the Danube is that the islands,
which might otherwise be used as stepping
stones for an army, are too near the northern
shore, 50 that the main channel is between
them and the southern side of the river.
When to this is added the fact that the south
ern or Turkish bank is raised high above the
water, We see all the elements of a defensible
ftonlier-namely, q deep aud wide river, ISL
apds not near the defenders bank, which com.
mundS that of the enemy, the a~ssailant hinder
ed by want of roads and tbs generally impaSsa.
BILE character of the country from moving rap.
jdIy up and down the stream, while the river
itself IS commanded by the g%unb0ats Of the
defender, who is master of the sea. II SerVla
were friendly to the Sultan and could throw
the same difficulties in the way of the Russian
army as thos. wlich the Turks could oppose
TO The crossing from Roumania to Bulgaria,
the task would be one beyond the power OF
ary army, even if numerically superior Ia
strength. Bat the DAnuba skirts the western
as vel as the southern side Of ROumanla, and
the passage into Servia is always open to the
Russians if they are allowed to pass unscathed
through R)umAniAn territory. Moreover, the
roads from Belgrade by Nish, and from the
Dannbe between R0umania and Servia by
Wilin, turn the chief difficulties Of the Balkan
rango and pass by AdrllnOple to Constantine"
pie, while they arc among the best ana most
freqltnlel in theSa regions. Thus, II the co"
operation, or even fti.n illness. OF
anl S.ryIa coall be secured, and if Austria
W-re content TO remain neutral, Their" would
b. ~ easier r3ate than this fnc attack on the
..,it,l ~ fNtrl,.v T. il a. lhnFrFlrR. SurDHlSs
inE that tn.r4 are rumDurS OF a russian al
vance through S.rvia instead of by o more di-
rect route which would commit the army Of
the Czlr 10 a passage Of the Danube and after
wards the Balkan range, both OF which are
emineutly dafenSibie. Bat a mere glance at
the map will shaw that the communications
of a RUSSIAN army marching by this route
would be even more than usually at the mercy
of Austria, which could descend upon them at
any time from the Carpathian Mountains.
Whatever view be taken Of a Russian Occupa-
ton of Bulgaria or march on GOnStantln0ple, 1t
is perfectly clear that the consent of Austria
must first be obtained either by negotiation or
force Of arms.
Lei. US now for a moment suppose a Russian
army allowed to pass through Roumania at
will, and safe for the present from Austrian i1-
Prevention. 1t has the design of crossing the
Danube into Bulgaria. What will be its mill
tary condition Z
Such an ARMY will ind itself in q country
formed by the soathern slopes of the Carpathi-
ans aud the pain at the foot of those Slopes.
Through the plain runs the Danube. with a
course nearly parallel to the Carpathians-
that is, west and eAst-fill it approaches the
coast, whoa it turns n%orthwards and runs paral'
lei 10 the shores Of the Black Sea, then bends
east again and falls into the sea, dividing into
several channels. The passage of the river
nelr its mouths would be diff cult, and an army
Invading Bulg lria at this part would be sub.
i.ctsd to perpetull dInger TO its c3mmunica"
tons from Turkish forces land ID on its a.nk
and rear. Oas Of the two Bulgarian railways
runs from the port Of Kustendj , to the Danube
at Tshernavola, a distance of only DO miles i'm
mediateIy in froat of Trajan's wall, and would
greatly facilitate ths defence of tie Turks.
II the Invading army declined to commit itself
to an attack ia this direction. we must suppose
that it would penetrate further into Roum4nIa
before attempting TO cross the Danube. Ii
would p,ss inc a district iatsrSected by numer.
ons rivers, most Of which hAvo marshy banks.
Tho good roads are few, and the difficulty OF
mlrchlny plr4ilel to the Danube would render
the crossing of the river by surprise almost i'm.
pl.sible. The best crossing places are covered
by the Turkish positions of Wilin, opposite
Kalafat Nlkopolis, opposite Turnu; Rustchuk
opposite Giurgevo Turtukli, opposite Oltent.