Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1877-08-07
RUSSIA'S DISASTER.

Late dispatches indicate that the Russian
army in Bulgaria under the command Of
Prince Shakoskoi and General Krudener, has
met with great disaster during last week In
the engagements at Loftscha and Plevnla.
The first crossing of the Danube by the Rus
slams was made at Matchin something like
three months ago. This division consisting
of about 10000 men has advanced down
Dobrudscha. The main army crossed at
Sistora, the right division of which captured
by assault Nicopolis, the left division invested
Rustchuk, and the center advancing through
Chipka pass into, and across, the Balkan
mountains. The latter division commanded
by Prince Mireky and the noted Cossack Gen
eral Courko, swept everything before 1t as
far as. or within three miles of, Philippopoh,
the objective point apparently being Adrian
oph. During last week considerable fighting
was done by this division in the vicinity Of
Eski Sagra and LEM Sagra with the Turkish
forces under SULLIVAN Pasha. At last ac-
counts no decided victory had been gained by
either side, but if the Russians are obliged to
retire it is very likely that they will be able
to hold Chipka pass which is strongly fortified
and where they have concentrated consider
able supply of provisions and forage. The
engagements at Plevna and Loftscha which
have proved so disastrous to the Russians
under General Krudener and Prince Shakos-
koi. seem to have been unexpected by both
the Russians and Turks, and evidently re-
suited from an attempt on the part OF the
Russians to prevent junction at 11nnoVa OF
the forces under Osman Pasha coming from
the direction of Nicopolis and those OF Me-
hemet Ali coming from Osmanbazar. The
victories by the Turks at Loftscha and PleVna
leaves Prince Mirekey and Gen. Gourko IN a
very precarious situation. Their coVmunlca-
tons with the Danube are entirely cut OF.
A victorious army in their rear and the army
of Suleiman Pasha in their front. 1t Is likely,
however, that they can hold Chipha pass I'M
til the army investing Rustchuck, which Is
still in good fighting order, and other rem
forcements can be brought up. These rever-
SEES will perhaps have no other result than to
prolong the war and make the fighting more
savage than ever. As to the merits OF the
present struggle, and on account OF any ad-
vantage to be derived, there is not much
choice for Americans as between the Turks
and the Russians. Prejudice on account OF
old associations and remembrances are all
that can determine US in giving our sympathy
to either side. The Osmanlis, the ruling race
of Turkey, although resembling in some re-
spects the Circassian, are of Mongolian origin.
They are noted for their Incidence and hcen-
tiousness. They are given to Discrimination
and are wanting in the tender emotions
of q civilized people. The Russians are IN
some respects not much better than the Turks
two-thirds of the population are serfs, who
are sly, false and insncere, lazy when posi-
BILE, aud delighted with uncleanliness, If
left alone, and there is no interference by
other nations jealous Of Russia's power, It Is
only question of time for the Muscovite to
conquer the Turk.