The daily gazette., 1877-09-19
September 10, 1877

struggle now SOll2 Oh oos"oeu tho
Russians and the Turks, or rather be-
tween Christian aud anti Christian
civilization, the underlying question
seersto have been forgotten or overlook
ed. Russia's object is an easier and
more direct road to India, and this can
be best secured and easiest protected by
the possession Of Constantinople and
supremacy over the Bosphorous and the
Oardnels and free access to the Medi-
terranean for the fleets of armed SHIPS
she may see proper TO build in her
northern rivers and seas. The people Of
Russia and the people Of Turkey have in
addition made the war q religion Q
truggle. But il there was nothing but
he principle OF the two modes of wor-
ship and the two creeds involved the
cabinet of the Car would not waste their
blood and treasure in the sansuinary war
as they are now doing.
When Russia engaged in this terrible
war she knew full well and better than
all other nations from her own frequent
bloody struggles with the Turks, that the
work before her was of no easy accom-
plishment. And it is supremely ridicu-
lous for the great blanket sheets in New
York and other cities to suppose the
Car and his Generals hoped TO get to
Constantinople and drive the Turks out
of Europe without the loss of many ar
mics. There is, therefore, no cause for
the inference that Russia has failed or
grown tired of the work she has under
taken, simply because her armies have
met with one or two reverses in the
Balkans and in Asia. Every military
man who has written upon the subject
has said that the Turkish line was sus-
eeptiole of the most complete fortifca-
uons and that it could be made almost
impregnable. Russia is, therefore, en-
countering just what her great soldier.
and engineers must have anticipated
We believe Russia sert forward hel
armies in smaller force than she might
have done on purpose that they might
fall back before the Turks to a good line
OF operations; nor did the Turk dare tc
send his armies across the Danube OF
even through the Balkan passes to in
tercept the Russian forces. Each of thu
combatants obviously desired to draw th,
other into net work of defenses and a
far from base of supplies as possible
Russia has by wise diplomacy made tn,
war one between herself and Turkey, ,anC
secured the sympathy of all civilized ma
uons. 1t now remains to be seen which
power is the most enduring. Certainly
Russia would fight with greater advan.
tage in Bulgaria near the Danube and
among friends than in the heart of the
enemies country, among enemies. sur
rounded by spies and with a long lin,
drawing her supplies from the rear) Il
keep open and protect.
Tie Turkish forces and Empire mus
be exhausted before the Ottoman gov
ernment will give way; and it is as easil,
10 exhaust it in Bulgaria as anywher,
else. We infer that Russia does not ex.
peci TO enter Constantinople until III,
Turkish armies ara broken IN and dis
organized. With the burning Of Moscow
and the route of Napoleon the First be
fore her she is no, likely to enter Con
stAntinople while the Turkish armies -.
main intact in the field. Before a con
quest worth achieving can BE- had b
Russia the military process of the fana,i
cal power must be humbled. Until thi
is effected it would be dangerous TO ad
vance too far toward the ancient capita
that boasts that it has never been les
than the seat OF empire. 1t is more tha
AAe!Y that Russia will now gather sue
SAst armies as to enable her in the ne,
campaign to hank her ancient enemy o
every held and finally crush her with Ii
weight Of numbers unless England {
some other power interferes.
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