Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-03
LINE OF ATTACK.

Kiln r. JFF "A i 11ASh.
How RUSSIA May Flank the
Chief Turkish Defensive.
New York Tfibnne-if
After the outbreak Of hostilitics the
two armies were about 450 miles
apart. The Russian army Y a massed
near the north eaetcrn frontier OF
Roamanis, in the vicinity OF Kisohen-
eff, . town on the. railroad between
Odessa and JassT. The Turkish
troops were stationed at various
points along the line Of the Danube
from Chernetz to Silietria. Between
the armies WAS the territory Of Rou.
s mania, with its railway system. Rou-
mania is nominally vassal of the
Porte, in reality the tool Of Russia.
Late in March stores and ammunition
were sent by the Russians into Rou-
mama, destined for kahul aud BoAt
gtoa, and the Russian and Roumaniah
railway lines were connected SO hat
rolling stock could easily be concen-
trated ut Jassy. The distance between
klschenetf AMI Jassy is about 80
miles. Ga Monday about 1900
Russian troops were Transferred by
railway to Jassy. Within "A hours
tho Russnins occupied Gala,z, Brai-
low, and Bucharest. the capital of
Noumania. The distance by railway
between Jassy, and Gala,z is about 200
miles; thence the railway continues
to Bucharest, distance of LAO niles !,
aud thence to Glurgevo, 40 miles fur
ther on the Danube; and thence
through Bulgaria to VafHs, on the
Black Sea. A branch runs from Buch
Arrest to Chernelz on the Austrian
frontier. A smsll force Of Cossacks $
is reported to have gone in this disec-
tiou to take possession Of this branch.
The Russians have thus made them
selves masters of the Roumanian rail
way system, and can mass their forces
either ut Ghefnetz or Glurgevo. The
distance between Galatz and Kalarash
on the Dsnnpe is about ninety miles
over good road. There is tolera-
bic road between Buchayest and OF.
tsnitza, where he Danube is about
800 yards widA.4 At Glufgevo the
width Of the river is about three
quarters OF mile. The natural cross.
ing places are At Glurgevo, Olteuitza
and Kalarash, and of the three Glur-
gevo is the most important. Instead
Of storming the fortresses on the south
bank Of the Dauube, the Russian army
may make a long detour by rail to
Chcrnetz, far away to the west, and
turn the flank Of the .Turkisg forces.
II is more probable, however, that the
Russians will renain on the direct
roAa-to Constantinople. The Danube
Is wide AM swift river, across which
It will not be easy to throw bridge bridge
Of boats; but inasmuch IS the line Of
defense is SO long, the assailants will
have on tho whole great advantage
The Turkish divisions will be scatter
ed, and the assai1ing army can be
massed quietly and hurled suddenly
in overwhelming force agains. the de.
tenders At asingle peint. l, is mol
probable that the Danube will be ~
insuperable barrier TO the advance o.
the Russians.
The FIRST Inc Of the Turkish defens,
is. however, quite formidable. Th.
southern bank is for the most par
high, while tae Roumanian is low anc
swampy. The Turkish towns ncsll,
among the hills, and many OF them Al,
fortified, while the Roumanian side il
desolate. The Turkish fleet il mis-
tress of the waters, and the little gun
boats, each carrying heavy gun
will have their own way upon til,
Danube, Unless the Russians can dsiv,
them away with the torpedoes, larg,
numbers of which have been store,
along the Roumanian bank. Viii
these gunboals aud monitors on th
:. watch it will be difficult for the Rus
sian army TO concentrate withou
escaping notice, and, moreover, tn
number OF crossing PLACES is limited
owing to the fact that there are ycr
few roads in the Bulgaria yer whic
an army can march. Al one of tn
three points named above (Ohleni,za
Glnrgevo and kalafs.h), of-at Lor
or Nikopolis, a crossing must b
made, because the only available road
TO the south lead from those town,
Sillistria, opposite ksl.rash, is strong
ly fortified, being projected by IL for,
or redoubts, which are either close
or effsc,ually f4nked by one a,o;he
All these works are armed wi,hheay
krupp guns qf the, best pattesl
Rustchuk aud Widden are alsostron
fortrcsses. If tho Russia,is effect
crossing, they will either have to b,
siege these forlresses or man the,
with large todics Of men and pus
forward the main arm. Nm that even
the Turks would Withdraw to the
second line st defence q. the zI B aiikIs1t, iikIst,
ranDa-btaot T. aud harra,,