The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-04

-~ anu VI buo sttukBo III
arc the subject of much speculation. particularly in
Germany and Austria, where every officer seems TO
have made his own particular study OF the campaign
The general tenor OF those criticisms ia adverse the
Turks, not from any doubt that they will mako good
fight ana even naict serious repuses their enemy,
but from the prepossesson that the superiority In NUM-
bers efficiency OF organization and srategical ability
are on the side OF the Russians.
THE RUSSIAN STRENGTH
There are 240OO Russians In position on the Danube
without counting the Roum the that
arc being brought forward, who amount TO 90, 600
men. There are $4,000 east of IbraIl and
10000, with considerable reserves at Bolgrad,
which Is the point OF support Tor this part
OF tho line. The strength and position OF the
works at Rcni aud lbrall indicate that they de-
fensvc and not offensive. tho precautions taken being
directed against attack by the Turkish feet and to
prevent the passage OF the river by the Turks. At
lbral there three batteries-one Of the town.
sweeping the Danube with four twelve-pounders and
two guns Of larger cabro up to the point formed by
tho Matchin channel and two east OF the town raking
the Matcnin channel OF which is armed with four
guns OF position and four howitzers and the other
with eight pieces OF still larger calibre and two NOR
taTs, from which proecties said to have reached
Matchn. There is fourth battery OF lighter guns
the island opposite Matchin. From Ibrail up to the
lines OF Bucharest and Oltenitza and Bucharest and
Giurgevo there are troops, except number rcqui-
site to guard against possible surprise; but between
Bucharest, and Gurgcvo tho concentration Is largo
scale The forces in three camps, each con-
tanning 10000 men, 10 which must be added
another 10 COO at Gurgevo. Thus there 100, 600
mon now concentrated tho Bucharest and Giur-
gevo line along tho railway who may DO directed
either against the line OF Rustchuk ard Turtukai
Rustchuk and sistova. On tho spot It is beloved
the latter will be chosen and that the demonstration
at oltentza is merely fclnt.
The second concentration is on both sides OF the
River Aluta. East OF the river 60 900 in two
camps, both on the high road to Turnu-Magureli.
West of the Auta are four camps representing about
$4,000 men. This may be regarded the centre OF
tho line. Further west Oh the line OF Kalaat and
Turnscvcrn last accounts stated the number OF Rus
SLAMS to BIO 40 900.
THE CAMPAIGN IN ASIA.
The Turkish army GU tho Asiatc side appears to
have been deporaby neglected. The troops worse
disciplined, worse equipped and provided than those
the Danube; but the nature OF the warfare in Asia
10 some degree makes the deficiencies or the armies
less VITAL The campaign viii be one in which strategy
win be or less and hard fighting OF importance.
Even irregular troops may DO able to do service in
some positions which 1t is in the power OF MuKhtar
Pacha to defend The Russian right wing has advanced
from Arabian via Urut to Pcnneck, fifteen miles
north OF Bardcz OF tho centre we have no
reliable information but has been reported that
they have taken both Dimusa and Gctschovan. Ac-
cordng TO another these places being at
tackled by attachments, while the man force Is fol-
lowing the northern road over the souganlu Range.
At all events the right and centre well down tow
ard positions from which attack could be made on
Mukhtar Pacha but tho lett wing has yet
far enough 10 participate In combined movement.
This delay is to great extent in consequence OF diff
cultcs OF the country through which the lett wing IS
marching.
RUSSIAN PROGRESS IN ASIA
All supplies have 10 be drawn from Erivan, from
which place the only easy road leads through Persian
territory, tho other routes being mountain passes If
the battle which is to decide the ato Of Erzeroum is
not fought until the Erlvan column has forced tho
Turkish positions ut Toprak Kaleh within sup
porting distance OF the other columns. progress
is likely to be. heretofore, very slow. II
is not impossible, however, that tho right
and centre, with the aid OF iorcc from Batoum
operating on tho Choruk River may attack Mukhtar
Pacha from the direction of Oltu and Souganlu pro-
vdcd Mukhtar waits to be attacked Tho latest news
OF him. via Consantnoplc, represents that he fall.
ing back from tho Bardez aud Ezeroum positions 1t Is
to be rcmark however, that from
whether favorable or uniavorabe to tho Turks Is
peculiarly untrustworthy. Thus we had last week the
announcements that the Russians had occupied Van
and Oltu, both OF which were false, and probably hd
result OF panic. just US the reiterated story OF the
rccapure Of Arabian was probably the result OF blum
dering design on tho part Of the government TO ap-
peasc the populaco of Constantnope. on tho o,her
hand the war news made public by the Russian gov
eminent is generally OF no Importance whatever, or
several days behind time.
AFFAIRS AT cossTANTfNOPLE
despatch from syria says" The Turks lack good
commanders. Redii Pacha, Minister OF War; and
Mahmoud Danad Pacha, Marshal Of tho Palace and
brother naw OF the Sultan represent the war party.
Edhcm and Safyet Pachas, the Grand vizlor md
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. represent the
party which Will be willing to agree TO mediation
after n decisive engagement has boon fought "
A telegram from Constantinoplo says:-"Anstria re
Gently sent note 10 the Porto demanding a written
declaration that the restrictions navigation OF The
Danube shall last day longer than tho be
Increased or form precedent The Porte and Russia
have both sent the declaration required. The Cham.
Der oil Deputies have voted in favor OF tho abolition
tho press bureau and OF making inquiry into OK
traordnary expenditures
despatch from Athens says Intelligence has been
received from Constantiropc that alter tho pvoclainn
tion Of the state Of siege about 2ct
OF Midhat Pasha's adhercnts werc srmmarily
arrested and imprisoned. The thoughts OF many
people turning toward ex.Sutan Murad.
They know his health is greatly improved, aud
that II he appeared in public the people
would demand his restoration. Murad has
applied for permission TO go to his country
residence at Scutari. The Sultan is greatly cmbar
rassed. The situation is OF great dcilcncy and
peril. II Is feared the people will many parts
OF the country II they do thcy win triumph unless
revolving severity Is used.
MISCELLANEOUS WAR NOTES.
The Ministerial papers OF Vienna and Pesth diflcI
concerning the peace rumors Tho Fremdenbiat
considers them IDLE dreams and tho PES
Their Lioyd declares they well founded.
Vienna correspondent has tho best au
thoritv for stating that Sabdoullah Boy