Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-10-18
THE GR A WAR.

We cannot interpret the recent move
ments. or rumon thereof. In Armenia
rs we'll a. Bulgaria. as Indicating more
than the strategy prescribed to both
c~ombatants. in order TO secure strong
positions for Winter quarters. The
Grand Duke Michasl's attack on Muk-
htar Pasha was made in the hope OF
crushing the resistance Of the latter at
one blow. and sffscting . Judgment In
Kars. But IL seems TO have been as de-
sided . failure ~ the attempts TO storm
Pisvna. and for the same rsasons-ths
insnicisncy Of artillery against trenches.
and the efficiency Of bresch-loading
rides against attack in front. The Turk
ish estimate Of the Russian losses Ii
probably much exaggerated. but since
the Grand Duke has fallen back TO the
frontier. and the severe Winter OF Ar
msnia is already creeping down the
mountain sides. We may take 1t Tor
granted that Kars is safe until next
Spring. In fact. the Russians would
gain little. so near the close Of the sea-
sou. by the possession Of that single
point. The disastrous campaign In Ar
meuia seems to be at an end.
From Bulgaria. We now hear moro
from the Turkish than from the Russian
side. The giving Of Mshemss Ais
command to Sulsiman Pssha. the Coun-
ell Of Generals at Shumla. and the APP
pearancs Of Cheikst Pasha with q con-
siderable reserve force in the rear OF
Plsvna. all point to the immediate
strengthening OF both Turkish lines. In
anticipation Of further attacks before
the close Of the season or during the
Winter. BY this time the Russian
armies must be reinforced by the Guard.
aud by a large portion Of the three mo-
bilizsd corps ; and there Is no better
preparation for the Winter. both IS re-
CARDS the armies and the Empire itself.
than a victory. An additional defeat,
now. would be an insalculabls misfor-
tune : hence. the caution, the delay. the
restriction upon correspondents. But II
will be dificul. to make any movement
in force without sncountehng the Turks
in a strong position. The Moslsm
generals or engineers have admirable
Typographical eyes. and their soldiers
improviss lines Of defence with an
energy worthy Of Anglo-Salons. IL Is
clear that they expect an advance OF the
army Of the Cxarowiteh toward the
LON. on one side. and an attempt to
cut of Plsyna ON the other. The CO.
operation Of Chefkst with Osman Pashs
may defeat the latter design; but, in
any case. We may DO sure that Osman
Pasha will not svaeuaie Plevna, except
for the purpose OF occupying another
position equally strong. with widdin
aud Sophia as his bases.
The most. therefore. which the Rus
SLAMS may DO able To accomplish will DO
10 extend their lines in Bulgaria. and
then to hold them until Spring. 1t is
almost like q fatality that a phenomenal
Winter should follow upon the heels Of
such deplorable strategy; the stars in
their courses fight against blundersrs.
Snow in Constantinopls ON Monday
snow on the cypress and myrtle 4;
storms Ina the interior. and frost
and rain threatening the bridges on
the Danube The mud Of Bulgaria Is
equal in depth and tsnacity to that Of
Virginia, and sudden cold Transforms
II a. rapidly into iron. This is al OBJ
staele which the Russians. accustomed
TO q long. solid Winter. and an instan-
tansous Spring. viii find particularly
annoying ; and the good roads that
might have been male are not only lack
ing, but the bad ones have not even been
supplied with good bridges. The. Turk
ish soldiers are seasoned to mud, and
their march is lighter ; they will BE- able
to concentrate more rapidly upon threat.
enod points. or. II pressed back. to take
new positions. After tho unexpected
skill and success with which they have
carried on the struggle. thus far. they
ought. certainly. to be able to hold the
lines Of the LON and the Wild. or ada
cent lines. during the coming Winter.