New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-27
THE BULGARIAN CAMPAIGN.
THE GENERAL oUTLOOK-sULEIAiAN AND METEMET
ALI SEEKING TO COMBINE THEIR FoRCEs-A
CRISIS AT HAND. "a 49,

THE GENERAL oUTLOoK-sULEIMAN AND mEIlEMEr
ALI SEEKING TO COMBINE THEIR FoRCEs-A
CRISIS AT HAND. ~ o
The precise object of the Turkish activity since
the DIST inst remains doubtful. All commentators
fail TO understand why Sueiman Pasha should
waste the lives of his men by an endeavOr to force
the Shipka Pass by front attack, when he could
effect junction with the Turkish forces north OF
the Balkans by marching through Demr Capon
Pass so as to Join Mehemct Ali Pasha, or could join
Osman Pasha by way of Sophia both of these routes
being unquestonably in possession of the Turks
and offering the advantage of rendering the Shlpka
Pass untenable for the Russians. In this conJunc-
ton it is noteworthy that the estimate OF the
forces engaged in attacking the Shpka Pass at forty
battaons. comes from Russian sources, and it is
pointed out that the Pass does not offer front for
more than 800 or 1000 men. On the whole, it is
possible that the attack on the Shpka Pass is in
tended as a fent, whilst the bulk of SuleiInan Pa
sha's forces effects junction with Mehemet Ali by
some more easery defe. There have already been
rumors that the advance guard of Sueiman Pashas
right wing has appeared at Bebrova on the northern
slope of the Balkans, and it is noteworthy that Me
hemet Ais army for the first time since the COM
mencement of the campaign, has been showing ac
tivlty. as though feeling forward to meet
Sueiman Pasha's advance. The reported Turk
ish attack on Tirnova is probably merely an
exaggerated version of the movement OF
Mehemet Ais forces from Esk Djuma, in the direc
ton OF Agahasler lor JalseT and the apparent object
of which is to effect junction with Suleimln Pasha
on the road from Eslu Djuma, to 1irnova 1t is
thought that a few days must clear up these points,
as il is evident a crisis approaching when the Turks
must do something before the bulk of the Russian
achievements arrive Speaking generally. the
Turks aided by their command of the sea, have al
ready brought up renfOrcements and though they
certainly have more men coming, namely, the $4,000
from Bagdad and further evies of militia from Asia
Minor and Syria they will represent q much smaller
ratio to the number OF Turks now between the Dan
ube and ConstantnOpl6 than the Russian reinforce
ments will bear to the Russian Army in Bulgaria.
Moreover the Turkish reinfOrcements must here
after be largely employed IN maintaining order in
the Provinces which are threatened with new or
revived revots. Reports as to the bad commssarlat
of the Russians continue. 1t is said that the troops
at Sistova Tuesday, riotcd because of bad pro-
visions and threw 100 900 mouldy loavcs of bread
into the Danube.
The Russians on their part are making every prepa-
ration for a prolonged campaign. 1t is said they
have contracted with an engineering firm for the
construction of bridges across the Danube capable
Of withstanding ice Also instead of their occupa-
ton Of the Dobruda being transitOry measure, as
would have been the case if it was merely intended
10 cover crossing of the Danube at a point higher
up the stream, Gen. Zimmerman il strongly fortify-
ing various points and receiving ammunition and
siege material to an extent which shows that his
occupation is not now merely as it may have been
up TO within three weeks ago, but that future siege
operations against the forTesses of the quadriateral
are seriously intended. The Turks also seem to be
arriving at the conclusion that the Russians mean
serious operations in this direction They have en-
trusted Prince Hassan with the task of facing and
engaging Gen. Zimmerman while FAIL Pasha ope-
rates on the Lower Danube against Ka and Niko-
laevka, supported by the feet under Hobart Pasha
1t seems certain that the feet intends striking
blow somewhere between Sulina and Odessa to
parry which renfOrcements have been dispatched
from Alderman to Tartar Bgnar and Nikoaevka