The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-06-08
MiAhleburq Rsgister
. FRIDAY, JUNE s, 1877.


rope, ana 10 u cOnsluerADle extent IN
this country. Such immense interests
of life and property arc at stake, that it
could not well be otherwise than that
the thoughts and consequently the talk
of the civilized world should be upon
this subject. In Europe the possibili-
ties, and we might perhaps say the
probabilities, are that the other nations
will eventually become involved. 1t is
not likely to draw us into the vortex of
war, and yet this result is not among
the impossibilities, and even if this
unfortunate result is not to be appre-
hended, yet general hostile compli-
cation Of European powers must have
Its effect upon our commerce, orr man.
ufacturing and other industrial enter
prises. Besides, human interest always
centers around such records Of blood
and valor. With us these discussions
take the form of narration, and some
times prophecy. II is giving informa-
ton of the situation from day to day
and forecasting the probabilities of the
future. We see very little moralizing
or argument for particular policy, or
criticism of methods and plans in our
newspapers. This may come later
One of the results to us of this war has
been, and still il, the prompting to the
study of geography. War maps are
published and sold in great abundance
and studied with avidity all over the
country, and our people are beginning
to be able TO appreciate the situation of
the armies and operations along the
Danube and in Asia Minor. 1t has
changed but little within the last week.
There have been no battles of any ac-
count. Perhaps the most noteworthy
feature which the situation on the DAN
ube presents consists in the massing Of
the Russian troops at three main points,
amounting to an entirely new distribu-
ton Of the forces. Thus, there arc now
said to be no less than $4,000 men on
the lower Danube, east OF Ibraila, with
convenient reserves of 10000. 1t is
thought, however, from the nature of
the works thrown up and the position
of the batteries, that these 100000 are
not designed for aggressive operations
in the Dobrudscha, but mainly for de-
fence against Turkish incursions to cut
of the Russian line Of supplies and car
~ fire into the rear of the invading
forces after their crossing the Danube
higher up. Experience in previous
wars has compelled the Russian COM
manders to guard against this danger,
although at the expense of Withholding
so large body Of troops from the inva-
ding movement, in its earlier stages at
least
The Boston Journal says:
If We are TO take the recent accounts
rs authentic, there are no Russian
troops Of consequence on the Danube
above Ibraila for nearly hundred and
fifty miles, or till We come TO the TRAN
gle with its apex at Bucharest and its
base on the Danube, running from o.
tenitza on the east to Giurgevo on the
west-the sides Of the triangle being
about fifty miles each. Here are anoth-
or 100000 men, so disposed in four
quickly IN either direction for crossing
the river, that Is, either at Giurgcvo,
nearly opposite Rustchuk, or at Often
itza, nearly opposite Turtukai, midway
between the great fortresscs of Rust
.L..I~ t,sa
on both sides of the river Aluta, which
comes down from the north, cmptying
into the Danube, are said TO be 10000
men; while on the extreme west, in the
neighborhood of Kalafat, are 10000
more. The objection to this estimate
IA that it makes too large an aggregate,
even after allowing literally for re-
serves and Roumanians, although the
general lines and centres of distribution
may be correctly given. II is predicted
that the attempts to cross the Danube
may be postponed a fortnight yet, al
though 1t is obvious that that is matter
wholly within the knowledge Of the
Russian generals, who are not likely
to divulge 1t till they do so by their
movements in the field.
With regard to Asia, the shifting in
telligence of the last week leaves but
little to interfere with the general tide
of Russian advance. Arabian, il may
now be considered as settled, has not
been recaptured by the Turks. 1t was
an announcement for merely strategic
effect on the populace of Constantine
pie. A body of Circassian cavalry four
thousand strong were surprised by the
Russians near Kars, on the 30th uit.,
and decisively beaten, though perhaps
not slaughtered, as first reported. As
the special weakness of the Turkish
forces in Asia has been said TO be the
want of cavalry, this is heavy blow,
unless the catastrophe may be regarded
as confirming the opinions Of those who
have affirmed that the Circassian caval-
ry would prove not much better than
none against the Russians. The indica-
lions are that AIukhtar Pasha is falling
back in Asia before the steady advance
and skillful combinations of the Russian
troops.
The peace rumors have diminished of
Late, and probably never had any better
basis than the continued interest of the
diplomatists In the situation and the
discussion of eventualities with q view
to what may take the shape of proposals
and negotiations. Having gone thus
far, Russia can plainly listen to nothing
till the situation has been modified or
cleared up by the arbitrament of arms.
The accounts of Turkish official demon
alization and inefiiciency continue, but
1t remains to be seen how far these
things will affect the actual fighting ca
pscity of the Turks. Their shiftlessness
has always been equal TO their bravery,
and defects that would break down a
more methodicsl people may not trouble
them so much for the time being. Still,
as war is business, the power of fore
sight, discipline and the marshaling of
all resources il sure to tell in the long
run.
The Southern Policy.