The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-07-01

land rather than between Russia and Tur
key, Major Russell thinks it unnecessary
to enter into it's history at any length, anC
q few words on the subject will suffice ais,
ior our purposes. During the twenty. fOuI
years that had elapsed since 1929. the I'M.
usual event occHrred of Ruesia iuterposipp
to save ConstantinOple and Turkey from
Mehemet Ali, the ruler of Egypt. This, OF
course, was a passing phaee of the great
drama, aud in 1853 the refusal by the Porte
of Prince Menscliikoffs imperative de-
mand for o protection over the Greek
Christians led to the occupation of Molda-
via and Waiiacbia, which, in it's turn led
to q declaration of hostilities by Turkey
The OttOmans commenced by taking
possession OF Kalafat and Turtnkai. 1t vas
wise step, for those two points afforded
admirable bases from, which to fall on the
flank and communications of the Russians.
Bat though Omar Pasha had the advan-
tage of holding Kalafat, and was by no
means an unskilful commander, the quality
of his troops forbade MIN from updertak-
ing extended operations in the field, and
thus harassing the enemy in an effectual
manner. The Russians, ON their side. had
brought to the Danube too sm all force
only 10000 men-to cross that river, and
go, the ) ear passed away without any i'm
portant engagement. In March next wear.
the Gear eaw that he had made a fatal mis.
take in adopting half measures in such an
and he summoned the celebra-
ted but now aged warrior Paskie witsch to
his councils. Paskiewitech characteristic
ally suggested bold offensive, and accor-
dingly, the army having been reinforced
by some 30 600 men, part of it crossed the
Danube in March at Ibraila, Galatz, and
Tultscha, driving back before it as far az
TrsJ ans Wall a force of 30, 600 men under
Mustapha Pasha, while the remainder
to undertake the reduction of Sill
istria. At sea, also, fresh exertiops were
made. At Sinope six Russian ships of
steamers, attacked and utterly defeated
seven Turkish frigates, aided by two cor.
vettes-an event which created no trivial
in England. But for all this &C,
iivity success did not smile on the Russian
Silistria could not be taken.
Omar Pasha's force at Shumls, though it |
Jared not advance to the relief of IL o |
town, sufficed to prevent the
Russians in tie Dobrudscha, who had
marched up the right bank of the Danube |
% help in investing it,, from carrying ont |
heir intentions. Moreover, the Russians |
we're defeated in battle at Giurgevo; and |
iaally, in August they retired from the |
'rincipalities altogether at word from
Austria. Henceforth the war changed its |
haracter. It was, as we have said, one |
'etween the allied powers of England and |
france and Ruesia rather than one between /
Russia and Turkey. Even in Asia, where
mother campaign was fought Out on the |
Id ground at Kars, the Turks were as
listed by the English and Magyars; Colo
el Williams and Colonel Lake 1.-THE pre-
ent chief of the Dublin Metropolitan
'olice) having conducted the defence of
hat fortress against Monravieff. We NAV
id that KaTs was captured, but in the
'rimea, az need hardly be said, the allies
wberelpon peace was conclu-
ed By the Treaty of Paris the Black
ca was neutralised, and the coast districts
Roumania, then included in the Russian
rovince of Bessarsbis, were separated
ON Russia, and j,ined to the territory
ow ruled by Prince Charles of HoheDzoi-
I'm.
We have now surveyed the eight com
leted wars between Russia and Turkey.
Fe may rest assured that the lessons the
;ory teaches have not been lost upon the
ussians. 1t seems to us that two of those
ssons stand out more prominently than
le rest. One we have already indicated,
nd it is that Russia is bent on the destruc-
on of the Ottoman Empire at the hands
her own soldiers, and on the consequent
.pture of Constantinople. The other is
lat insufficient preparations--prepar
ons out of proportion to the magnitude
I'd resources of the Muscovite Empire-
I'VE been the chief cause of the failure of
previous efforts to accomplish this vast
,sigu. II every thing we hear be true, no
istake has been made this time in taking
re that such superiority as lies in trained
oops, naateriel, and organization is on the
1e of the invader.