The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-01


OF Hobart Pasha, or Admiral Hobart.
Such being the conditions that now
surround the movements OF the Russian
advance through European Turkey, it is
obvious that the Gear must be prepared
to back these movements by an immense
force. Less than half million of troops
will scarcely be sufficient to push this
undertaking through with success. At
present only about half that number
have appeared across thePruth on their
march to the Danube. But that does
not imply that the other halt of the five
hundred thousand may not be also CON-
ing forward In due time. 1t must be
considered that, however indolent the
Turk may be as to work, he is
no laggard when he comes to
fighting. He has, then, all the advan-
tages of chosen position. of successive
lines OF defense, Of difficult passes and
detiles through mountain ranges strong
by nature and fortified by art; he has
command of the water lines both by riy-
and sea; he is fighting on his own soil,
and in defense OF his home, his country,
and of his Mahommedan faith. All
these are elements of most formidable
military resistance for Russia to over
come before she can achieve victory.
1t Is nevertheless unquestionable that
Russia is able to put full million Of
men in the field, if only her financial
strength be found sufficient for the
strain. We may therefore look for an
obstinate and bloody war.
There is, however, another aspect to
this military advance Of the Russian
armies. We read Of the movements OF
an advancing column upon the Asiatic
frontier Of Turkey, along the southern
coasts of the Black Sea through Asia
Minor. II true, this forebodes mischief
to the Turk. twill be remembered thai
by the treaty Of peace at the close oI
the Crimean war, Russia was permitted
to retain possession OF the fortress o.
Kars, a stronghold on the confines o.
Persia, which she had seized by surprise
during that war and wrested from the
Turks commanded by British officer
The real Importance Of that post was
probably not then well comprehended by
the signatory Powers. 1t is really the
key TO Asia Minor from the East. 1t com.
mands the headwaters of the Tigris and
Euphrates. 1t looks out upon both the
Black Sea and the Caspian 1t is con.
nected with Southern Russia by hel
possessions in the Caucasian PENN
sula. From that point column seems
to have moved westward towards Con
stantinople. We hear rumors OF its ad
vance to Ezeroum and toward Trebi
zond. Should this column be of force
it's approach toward the Turkish Capita
may be found to be flank movement al
effective as was Grants upon Richmond
in 19645. But the details of this ad
vance are as yet but little known
Army correspondents and telegraphs
are not abundant in Asia Minor at pres
ent.
1t Is noticeable that each of the bellig
erent Powers aims to arouse the en-
thusiasm of their respective nations b.
a strong appeal to their religious creed
and faith. Every war between Rus
and Turk has been "holy war;" i
1858 the Russian cry was for "the rescu
OF the Holy Places" Of Palestine fror
Turkish Mohammedanism Now the cr
is for ''the rescue Of prosecuted Chris
tians" from Turkish barbarism. And tn
counter-cry of the Turk is to defend th
green banner of their Prophet from tn
proclamation of infdel touch. And, Q
all wars, "holy wars" have invariabl
proved the most unholy. The presen
one does not give promise of being a
exception in that regard.