Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-06-13

more or less Importance in Dan
ubian Bulgaria. Every battalion
on the average may be assumed to
contain $50 men. Contributions
from Nish it is true, are considered
below this standard, but on the
other hand numerous Redif bat
talions have 1000 men and even
more. therefore the total number OF
infantry is about l72,5vO, and cav
ally, reckoning 100 men to squad
ron, 1900. Accordingly the army
of the Danube, including fortress
artillery and engineers, is close
upon 100000 strong. AS to Or
ganization there is want OF
everything that is Indispensable in
tactical unity and system. Until
within few weeks there were no
divisions, brigades or regiments.
Battalions lay scattered about with
out often knowing from whom they
had to receive orders. 1t is true
that after the declaration of war
divisions and brigades were formed,
but this is of little practical value
when it is considered that the
troops and commanders are changed
about at the caprice of one superior
officer. The army is virtually
directed p from Constantinople,
where all movements are planned
and orders issued by the so-called
council of war. This council is
composed of number of Generals
who are mere puppets in the hands
of few ignorant upstairs. Abdul
Kerim Pasha is the mere executor
of the will of this body. 1t cannot
be denied that he possesses military
experience and sharp, judicious
eve, but he is wholly wanting in
energy and power of rapid action.
To the natural incapacity of the
COMMANDMENT Chief in this respect
must be added the circumstance
that he is seconded by no general
staff.
As regards the fortesses in Eu-
ropean Turkey incredible results
have been accomplished. Widdin,
Rustchuk, Silistia, Schnmla and
varna, especially the last two, are
now quite formidable Notifications
They almost entirely consist OF In
dependent works, mostly of earth
but constructed in a strict conform
ity with modern principles of arma'
ment, and leave nothing to bt
desired. That the Russians will
succeed, perhaps, at no distant dat'
in forcing the river is more thar
probable, but it is equally certain
that in the face of the tough, endur
ing qualities of the Purkish soldier
they will only after spilling much
blood force the barrier opposed t
their onward progress in the shap
of the fortresses of the Danube.
The Turks seem to possess TIL
faculty of getting killed and theI
coming back to life again. Thu
one day a telegram arrived, bring
ing intelligence that 1000 Turklsl
cavalry had been killed: The mex
day another telegram stated tina
! only 80 out of the 1000 men ha'
remained dead. 90. -
The English people do not ap
: pear anxious to- go to war for til
purpose of supporting a natio
' that is almost incapable of helpinI
:, itself. A dispatch from London
June 5, says:
: "The Times in leading article
says, so far as can be judged, tn
> fortune of war will be averse I
o the Turks. The operations ma
not have the rapidity of recen
wars, but the Turks are overmatch
g ed and must succumb. In tina
A catastrophe Europe will accep
No nation will go to war again
: support that which cannot be sur
!, ported. No statesman will elm
to the dead element in systeT
a instead of looking for its Twin
n forces. We know we must see
d for that which is to replace tn
IS parting power. To this we car
a not too soon direct our attention.
London, June 12.-In the Hous
> Of Common, this af ernoon a dis
b patch was laid on the table address
l. ed by Lord Derby to Lord Lyon
: British Ambassador at Paris. Th
y dispatch is dated May 10th. Lor
; Derby informs Lord Lyons tbs
If Great Britain had declined til