The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-07

and upon the amount OF reGnforcemcnts
which are being sent forward to him
combined operation upon the Russian po-
stiuns on the Nid. by the armies of CHEv-
KEr and OsMAN Pasha, might prove very
disastrous to the investing force If II were
skilfully carried out So many mistakes
have been made on both sides since the COM
mcncemcnt of the war, that although the
military situation is more serious, 50 far as
the Turks are concerned. than il has ever
been since ABDUL KERN allowed the Rus
slams to cross the Balkans, ii is far from
hopeless and successful advance by SULEI-
MAN Pasha Gu Bicla and SistOVa might on
trcly change the whole complexion Of af-
fairs. This General since taking command
OF the army at Rasgrad has distinguished
himself only by rctrcating. In fact no Turk
ish commander has proved himself thus far
So utterly useless as this Shipka hero. Upon
him and the unfortunate influences which
support him at Constantinoplc will rest the
whole responsibility of Turkish defeat if the
Russians are victorious.
The disasters Of the Turks have been due
entirely to jcalousics and qIarrcls in high
from tho beginning. MAHMOuD pasha. the
Sultan's hrothcr-n-lnw. lie it was who
secured the recall of MEHEMEr ALI, who
fell n victim not only to intrigues at Court,
but 10 insubordinatiOn i'm the field. The de-
libcratc refusal Of his next in command,
AHMED EYOuB, to obey orders. coupled
with the cowardicc OF the Egyptian contin-
gent, fifteen battalons OF which declined to
advance at Chcrkovna, lost MEHEMEr All
battle which. had IT been victorious would
have brought him upon the rear Of the be-
sicging army Of Plcvna. and involved "a
disaster TO the Russian armies so serious
that the only alternative would have been
the evacuation Of Bulgaria. Again. the
same result must have followed had SUfEt-
MAN Pasha, instead Of attacking the Rus
slams at the Shipka pass. effected junction
either with OsMAN Pasha or MLHrMEr ALI;
but as he was jealous of both those Gen
erals, he refused to cooperate with them
II Is evident that no army can hope to carry
out military operations which II under three
or four separate commanders, each anxious
t. prevent the other from winning laurcls.
The bitterness Of the anti-forogn party,
whose influence IL again becoming para
mount IN Constantinoplc tends to drive
away the numbers OF experienced officers Of
European armies who have offered their
services TO the Turks. Thus BAKER Pasha
and the officers associated with him have left
the army Of SULEIMAN Pasha IN disgust
Nothing tends more strongly to ALLEVIATE
sympathy from u Government than to SEQ
It sacrificing public interests TO personal
animositcs and rivalrics; and while the
magnificent lighting qualities OF the Turk
ish soldcry and the patriotism they have
displayed in the defence Of their country,
have commanded universal admiration, the
same cannot, unfortunately, be- said for
many Of their officers and above all Tor the
unworthy intrigucrs in high places in Con-
stantinoplc, who are already responsible
for the lives Of Il asands OF brave men. and
whom history will stigmatizc a. traitors to
their country.
While In Europe events have taken this
unlavorablc aspect as regards Turkey, they
are quite as bad In Asia. Here MUKHrAR
paSha is cndcn voring TO hold the heights in
front Of Erzcroum against forces mmeri-
cally far superior to his own. IsMAIL Pasha
has been fortunate In escaping the snare set
for him 10y Gen. LA2ARoFF, and has effected
a junction with NUKHrAR. Ii is is said by
British officers who have examined the posi-
| ton held by these Generals that il is 81
strong as TO be- almost impregnable; never
thocss, we hear of an attack on Monday in
which some SUCCESS seems 10 have been
obtained by the Russians. Accounts from
Kars are conflicting, both a. 10 the number
Of the garrison and the extent OF It's sup
plies but We believe all reports of negotia-
tions for it, surrender will bc found TO h
| premature
While in Europe the public svmpathice
are almost universally in favorof Turkcyund
anti Russian the belief that u great Turkish
reverse would lead to negotiations foi
| peace, induces the hope in many quarter
! that the operations against PloVna may b,
! speedily successful aud that both powers
may before the end Of the year find them.
selves in a position which would enable
them honorahly to treat. Russia would
eagerly escape from position which even a
victory will not render pleasant, for "a CON
| tinuation OF hostilties means "A winter cam
paign under almost insurmuuntable diff
cuticS; while Turkey must see that If tn,
var Is reduced TO the question Of who car
last the longest in men and money, In,
chances must lie with Russia. speedy
peace, therefore. Is desired indeed 10y every
! body, for 50 long a. the war continues TN,
other powers are on the edge Of II conilagra
tiun which may at any moment extend t.
| them With n dangerous crisis pending II
! France. and revolutionary sOcialiStic an,
religious forces at work in other European
countries, there is not Il Government on the
| continent which has not got It's hands full
without having the political dilcult"
increased by "A prOlongation Of the presen
unhappy war.
Vegetation in High Latitudcs.
Tho effects Of climate upon vegetation II