The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1877-05-17
The European War Situation,
From the Banner.l

From the Banner.l
No important engagement has
yet taken place between the Turks
and Russians, but the oming clash
cannot be long delayed. At pres
ent the situation stands about as
follows: The Turks have apparent
ly abandoned the idea of stubborn
resistance on the Danube. The
line necessary to guard is SO long
that, to protect it all, their force
would be greatly scattered and
therefore greatly weakened. The
Russians, with greater strength,
and much better facilities for rapid
transportation up and down the
river on the Roumanian side, would
be almost certain to get across
in force somewhere, and thus flank
the Turks, to attack the stragglIn g
sections of their army in detail, an d
to roll it upon itself, after the true
Napoleonic fashion, utterly destroy
ing its discipline, leaving it nothing
but a rabble, and practically finish
ing the war at one blow. With this
in view the Turkish Commander in
Chief, whose quarters are now at
the great fortified Camp Shumla,
has drawn in his divisions, concen
trating his whole force upon con
verging lines One division. but
probably small one, is left at Wild
din to contest the Russians crossing
there. 1t is doubtful if the divis-
ion will ever be able, after the Rus
sian onset, to join the Turkish ar
my to the East; but it can fall
straight back to pass in the Bal
kan range directly behind it, and
hold that place stubbornly against
such force as Russia can spare in
that direction.
In the meantime the Turks have
massed in q quadrangle of which
the salient points are Rustchuk to
the northwest, and Silistria to the
northeast, both on the Danube, and
Varna to THE southeast, on the
Black Sea, and Shumla to the
southwest, directly back of Rust
chuck. The Qualifications at these
four points are very strong, and
they command the ground over
which the invading army mast pass!
Somewhere in this quadrangle, or
on its borders, it is believed, will
come the first great pitched battle;
and if the Turks are beaten, the
way to the Balkans, where they
will make their next stand, is still
open to them.
Meanwhile, the Porte is rapidly
Fastening to Its last desperate
move-the declaration of relig-
ious war, the Crescent against the
Cross. They have been slow to
take this step, for that issue once
formed, the sympathy of Europe
must necessarily be arrayed against
them, and the consequent arousing
of the fanaticism of the Mohamme-
dams will almost inevitably be fol-
lowed by outrages against the Chris
tians which will greatly strengthen
Russia's moral position. 1t is a
step, however, that can not be
avoided. The Turks will not fight
well without it. The situation is
very pretty one as it stands, and
there must be some sharp fighting
ere long.
If late reports are true, the Rus
SLAMS have Withdrawn from Armen-
ia, on account of the difficulty of
food supplies. Perhaps |
of an insurrectionary !
fire in the rear have had something
to do with it.
The Porte declares the struggle |
with Russia "a holy war and calls
upon every Mohommedan to enlist
under the crescent in the contest
between the Mussulman and the
Christian. This definition of the
ssue will hardly help reconcile
he English people to an allegiance
With the Turks.