The Republican journal., 1877-05-03
The Russian Turkish War,

Gus colllSlOn With the Turks Great mill
tary activity is observable in Bucharest.
The Russian march to Galatz was really
wonderful. The whole distance was tray
crsed on foot in fifteen hours, without a
halt. Wagons were only provided to
carry the knapsacks and arms. The al
tillery, cavalry and baggage trains all ar
rived together. 1t was expected that a
detachment would commence action I'M
mediately upon arriving, as the Turks
had only to cross the river to seize the
railway and destroy the bridge The
railway is now secure. The Russian army
Is moving forward, mostly on foot The
railway is only used for heavy artillery
and baggage. A correspondent at st.
Petersburg telegraphs Intense enthu-
slasm prevails throughout the Cars do
mlnlOns. Russia has 300 900 men on the
Danube and l25,000 men in Caucasus,
While the opposing forces Of the Turks
are 100000 along the Danube and $4,000
or less in Asia Minor" Both sides exhibit
weakness in skilled generals, and the po-
sition in Roumania is unfortunate. Austria
and Russia are contemplating an agree
ment whereby Bosnia will be coded to
Austria. The Gar is not desirious to
conquer the territory for himself but will
be guided by the logic of circumstances.
Russia is threatening India in event OF
English interference. RumOrs of a con-
troversy between the English Ambassador
and Baron Jomini ut dinner given at the
British Embassy are whispered. Ignatietf
is the rising man and destined to succeed
'ortschakotf. \ correspondent at Vienna
tcegraphs that Of the three Russian col
met serious resistance, a few miles from
Rajazdid, where there was extensive
lighting yesterday, Persia has 10000
men ready to JON the Russians.
y despatch from st. Petersburg says
the newspaper statements that Russia has
concluded Il new loan are incorrect. Rus
STA is prepared with means to prosecute
The war throughout the present year, and
pay interest on her sinking fund debt, the
long negotiations preceding the war hay
lng given ample time for preparation in
these respects 1t is now decided that the
CZaroNitch shall return to ST. Petersburg
with the Car. Reports from the com
inander of the Southern army express
great satisfaction with the operating and
marching capabilities OF the troops. \
Russian column is marching on Arabian.
The Russian army is very strong in cayal-
ry and is accompanied by Il heavy siege
train.
The weather has been fine for the last
three days, and the roads are improving
rapidly. The Russians are said to be ad-
Eancng again by railways, which were
temporarily 0bstructed by recent inunda-
tons The action of the Russian author
tiles in closing the navigation OF the Dan
ube certainly indicates an understanding
with Austria, as it is highly improbable
that such a step has been undertaken
against Austria's views. The Russians
do not appear to intend to push rapidly
westward. 1t is apparent that their OPP
eratlOnS will be undertaken leisIrely i'll
Western Roumania or entirely to the
lower Danube. 1t is probable that the
Turks will be afforded an opportunity of
rejecting on their isolated and dangerous
position before they are called upon to
stake their fortunes on a decisive battle.
The position of the opposing Russian
and Turkish forces, Saturday night, was
substantially this: The Russian army in
vading Turkey through Roumania, num-
bers about BOZ, 900 men, moving in three
columns. The left wing reached the Dan
town. There is a report that a large force
of Turks on Saturday crossed the Danube
lit Silistria one hundred miles south west
of Galatz; and that a battle was hourly
ly expected. This, however, is denied
The Turkish forces, said to number l0O,-
600 men, are masSed on the southern
bank OF the Danube. The Russians have
closed the navigation OF the Danube.
While this movement has been going on
III European Turkey, another important
movement has been inaugurated by the
Russians in Asiatic Turkey, near the Cau-
caSlan frontier A force of I25, 600 Rus
slams moved the first of last week from
Iitlis and other Russian tOrtresses, against
the Turkish tOrtresSes OF kars and Ere
rome; and another against the Turkish
port of Batoun, on the eastern shore OF
the Black sea, and seven hundred miles
east OF Constantinople, with the purpose
OF attacking the Turkish fortified port of
Treblond. The Turks have about 80, 900
troops to oppose this movement.
Friday the Russians attacked Batoun,
and, according to Constantinople advices,
were repulsed. Saturday the fighting was
renewed around Batom, and, according
to Russian adVices, the Russians were sue
cesstul. As the superior Turkish naval
force gives the Turks the command of the
Black Sea, the object of the Russians seems
10 be to capture Batoun and Irebzond and
cut of the Turkish supplies from those
ports, and then make a formidable ad-
vance through Turkey in Asia.
The indications are that Persia which
is hostile to Turkey, is aiding Russia in
this movement; and if SO it will soon be
come formidable. The Persian minister
at Constantinoplc, however, denies this
The Roumanlans have given up their rail-
roads and supplied to the Russians, and
seem to be doing all they can to aid them
without furnishing them troops. Austria
Is reported to have requested the Turks
not to advance into Servia. The Egyp-
tlan khedive declines to furnish troops to
the Turkish Sultan.
British iron clads have sailed from Nal
ia for Corfu. The Russians will blockade
the Danube after May 9TH from Orosa to
the mouth of the river. England pro-
claims neutrality. The Turkish treasury
IS short il is found half millions pounds
England is ready to send $4,000 men to
Egypt at a moments notice, half from
England and half from India The COM
misariat and medical staff. are ready to
leave.
The London Times leading article, re-
viewing the argument that the Car was
irreslstibly impelled to war by the will of
the people, says: This is consistent and
ineligible, but it is not the language of
a reasonable being. 1t is the language Of
the northern hordes, thrust or starved out
OF their forests to seek food wherever it
could be found. Fhe world will not long
permit the earth to be desolated by
struggle hogan in an interchange of def
ances, and, if left to itself, pretty sure to
last as long as one party has strength to
hurl defiance at the other. In self defence
civilization will have to confine it to the
smallest possible limits, and secure its
speedy extinction if she cam
ENGLAND'S NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
LONDON, April 30. Orders sent to Dey