The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-13
WHAT rs CONG Ov IN EUROPE
Tho news from the scat OF war is plcntif

and still less on the Danube A st. Petersburg
letter. recently printed in the scmi-ollicial
North German Zeiimo. proves to have con-
tanned some pretty correct demonstrations.
Tho writer predicted that no serious engage
mcnt would take place before the middle Of
May In Asia Minor. the only ally Of Russia is
Persia, who will not directly attack Turkey.
Prrsia's share In the hostitiDs will merely con-
sist in compelling Turkey to keep portion IL
her troops on the Persian frontier. The army
Of the Shah being utterly unable to n..ht the
Turks in regular warfare. persia's role is to be
limited to taking hostile attitude. and thus
dividing the forces OF Mukhtar rasha
Tho same Of Greece. She. too. will await
events. div.rtng mcanwhle n portion Of the
Turkish army from the northern part OF the
Peninsula. Up to the present timc Russia has
actually accepted the support Of only two allies
-Roumania and Montenegro She repudatCs.
it seems. all connection with Servia or the re-
VOTED Balkan provinces. Tho Cars position
ia, that he can in no case support revolution.
As II Montenegro and Roumania were not re-
yolted vassal Statosl
The Grand Duke Constantin. brother OF the
Car and Great Admiral Of the Russian fleet. Is
about to start for tho naval fortinca'ions Of
Nikolnon and the limo Of Alderman Kcrtch-
Ycnikale. This intended journey and the put
ting \ the foot upon war footing have given
the Russian papers an ocrasion To- speak pretty
frankly Of tho condition Of Russias marine
forces. Tho naval paper, the locit says that
the greatest drawback is the limited number ~
-nilors who have had any sen experience at all
The Baltic loot comprises altogether some
~ 900 mon. with $3.50 OIL Frs. OF these. only
about 2o01 men and 20o onlo, rs are yearly IS ut
out On distant yoyag s.. go that many sailors az
90" fleet have never '"n further than the coasts
~ the Gun of Finland. II rs also remarked
that Ru--|a's cruisers are too slow. = .urcry amy
NJ them being able 10 make moro than five knots
nm hour. The larsost and newest iron.lad.
P,t.r the Great. has never yet made a cruise.
so strong is tue doubt OF her seaworth.noss.
Ih' mcr hant Il 'ct IS very small and can fur
nish the men 'i-W.r only u few hundred cX-
p"rioncod Finland sailors. Ina word. the view
taken hy lu-sinn naval writers is far from bcins;
a sanguine ono.
OF the condition a the army. on the other
hand. the Russian pr 50 speaks in IN, most
glowing terms. 1t is not only formidable in
numbers and thor ughly disciplined. but also
admirably armed and offered. A fact has Just
leaked out showing that the Russian General
STAN has boon working up Turkey very much
rs Motkes General stan worked up France ho-
lore the war oi 1870. so-ca.lcl Toposrarh-
i.u Depot OF the War ON .eat ST.. p.tar- urg
has supplied every commanding, officer 81 the
DHnu'.Hn army " th minute maps OF the nnrih-
ern provinces oi Turkey. and vs. th phatosrapAs
81 every fortress OF fortified place likely 90 he
encountered by the army on Us southwark way
rom lAe bank of tne j. 'uuhe. Russian agents
have evidently he'u SGT. lying the Balkan penln-
~uit Just as carefully a- German agents studied
Frame. Another proof that preparations for
the pr. sent war has. been going on for some
time. is the fat that larg" bakeries were eetal-
lishei Inst summer az j udcr and 4 rasiol for
the production of rye biscuit. which constitutes
thu Russian soldiers bread ration in war times.
This stock Of biscuit Is now being forwarded
into Eoumania.
Unfii recently thoro was Int ono limo u. tol.-
Graph between s.. Peter-hur, AMI KlsrlrneT
Another las Just been completed AMI prolonged
log several branches to the main points on the
lrutf. y '-otlutloll ar going on Wlth the Nou-
rauian Government 10 carry these lines. at
ku-sin's expense. through TO Gllatz Brailor.
kolaiat. and all important points on the Danube.
Tho mobilization Of the Russian army and
the war preparations generally have so far ac-
coriing TO statement oi the War Onlce. cost
the Cars treasury tie round sum OF 400. OOO. 900
rouhles. or something over s3U0,uOO00O
Whom diplomacy all over Europe was ab-
sorb.a in the negotiations viii IA preceded the
outbreak OF the war. the u'tra-Catholirs in
Fran 'o and Italy began their work # agitation.
They had been waiting q long time for tho OPP
/ lortuA.iy. and they thought il had como. The
war. they reg-, uei would prevent the Govern
n.n'- frNu interfering No them. while lis ea-
/ lamlues would naturally make people mora re-
| is.nus. Catholic committees wero established
la every important city. "a pilgrimage 10 Rome
was organ z.I. ami number of other stops
| 'aA.Q % lle the utr4-Ca tAoli' heart. Tho
movement is boon 100 PREPARATION for a long