Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-07-13
The Weekly Review.

LONDON, July =.
Concerning the situation on the Dan.
ube we have no new information from
any quarters except denials of the first
hasty reports of the rapid advance of the
Russians. Tirnova is not in their hands,
nor likely to be Immediately, as the Turks
probably mean to hold the line of Zan-
tora if they can, and Tirnova is very
favorably situated for strong defense
The fighting thus far reported cannot
have amounted to more than outpost af-
fairs, for the Russians are not yet pre-
pared for serious work. The Turkish
quadrilateral remains intact, and not less
threatening to the 120,00 Russians said
to be across the Danube at Sistova than
il Gen. Zimmerman had not crossed at
1brail and swept the Dobrudscha. His
80, 600 men must connect with the gar
risons of the three fortified positions of
Kustendji, Silistria and Varna before
they can render effectual help to the army
now at Sistova. In the same way pro
vision must be made against the Turkish
forces about Nikopolis and Widdin be-
fore any serious advance upon the Balkans
can be undertaken.
Nothing is yet known of the Turkish
dispositions, except that the headquar-
ters remain at Shumla, where Redif
Pasha Minister Of War, has joined Abb
dul Kerim and council has been estab-
lished, under whose direction the cam
paign will be prosecuted, possibly with
more vigor than heretofore, as the only
good quality generally conceded to Redif
Pasha is energy. The Turkish Danube
flotilla remains supine, while single
pontoon bridge at Sstova is permitted
to supply the large Russian force with
provisions and war material. The bridge
is reported so weak that it has broken of
its own weight in the past week. One
iron clad in determined hands might
place the Russian army in desperate
position, for the country along the Turk
ish side of the Danube would not main
tain them many days if deprived of their
omm;ssariat. 1t was reported recently
that Hobart Pasha contemplates an oper-
alton of this nature on the Danube un-
der his personal direction, but has thus
far been restrained by jealousy on the
part of Turkish Pasha.
Nearly all accounts from the seat of
war in Asia Minor agree that the Rus.
slams have met with serious rcverses,
but their position does not appear to be
as thoroughly compromised as would be
inferred from the earlier dispatches ola
Erzeroum.
The most sinister feature of the Rus
sian situation is the utter absence of
official bulletins from the Grand-puke
Michael, which hitherto kept us informed
of the progress of the Russians. The
following are the positions of the re-
spective forces as nearly as can be ascer-
tanned: The Russian left wing after ad-
vancing to Delibaba has now turned
back ON it's line of advance, and is march
ing on Bayazid, which is still invested
by irTegulars from Van. 1t will proba-
bly, be able to defeat these, save Bayazid,
and re-establish communication with
Erivan. A detached column of the cen
ter, under Gen. Heymann, after defeat
at Zewin with serious loss, has fallen
back to the neighborhood of Kars, but
the siege of Kars has not been raised,
and the latest Turkish bulletins do not
give the impression that Mukhtar Pasha
feels himself strong enough to undertake
its relief. The latest advices represent
that he has advanced to within fifteen
miles of the Russian investing lines.
There has been nothing definite from
Batoum since the capture by the Turks
of the Russian positions on the Samebah
and Khatzubani heights, Both Russian
and Turkish reinforcements are said to
be Fastening forward. The question of
provisioning the armies is said to be
growing serious for both sides.