The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-06-08
THE MILITARY SITUATION IN RoUMANlA


Conjecture has been very busy of late
as to where the Russians really mean to
cross the Danube and an approximate
idea Of their intentions may be arrived
at by summing up as follows:
AT present the Russians occupy posi-
tions on the river Danube, from Giur-
gevo to Galatz, and from that town to
Reni and Ismail. The strong fortress
Of Rustchuk faces them at Giurgevo,
whilst Turtukai, Silistria, Rassova and
Hirchova, are fortified places more
OF less strong, confronting them on the
Turkish side of the Danube, with the
four army corps distributed along the
northern banks of the river; and we
doubt very much if the Russians will
make any serious attempt to cross the
river until joined by the army which
was assigned to the south coast, and
other reinforcements. These reinforce
ments will consist of the corps above
mentioned, together with the 18th and
14th army corps.
1t is highly improbable that the real
movement will be made any where be-
tween Rustchuk and Rassova, mas
much as it would imperil the position
of an army to cross into Bulgaria, and
march southwark without taking the
strong fortress above mentioned. To
do this the Russian commander has not
sufficient men at his command, al
though feint upon Turtukai and Sill
istria would materially help passage
of the Danube at Reni. Should this oc-
cur the position of the BAHIA Dagh
would then have to be forced, and the
railroad connecting Kustendji with
Rassova seized and destroyed or held.
At the same time the Dobrudscha is
more than unhealthy at this time of
the year; it is pestilential, and, should
the Russian transport corps prove in
the least defective, the consequence
will be most disastrous. Again, if the
Russians cross the Danube between
Rustchuk and Turtukai, it would be
imperative for them to seize the line of
railroad connecting Rustchuk with
Shumla, and SO isolate the former
place. We are, however, of the opin-
ion that no serious movement will be
made in this direction, but that the
real advance southwark, according to
the latest intelligence of the Russian
movements, will take place far to the
west of Rustchuk. The military writers,
notably those on the New York Times
and London, Times discuss the position
of Bulgaria as though it were one huge
fortress; and the strategy Of the antago-
mist generals is best understood by so
regarding it.
The Balkans are the main line of de-
fense for Central Turkey; the wall, the
rampant which must be taken before
the fertile plains Of Thrace with Adria-
nople and Constantinople can be
reached. The Danube in strategical
sense may be said to form an immense
ditch, running parallel to this rampant,
and from so to 100 miles distant, in
front of it. This ditch, perhaps 400
miles long, is strengthened by power
full outworks. at widely separated parts
of its length, Widen, Rustchuk, Siles-
tria and Hirchova, all on the Bulgar-
ian side, overlooking the northern or
Wallachian shore. The plain of Bull
garia, forms in military language, a
glacis or gentle slope from the Balkans
to the Danube; from the ramparts to
the ditch. The ragged country be-
tween Servia and Bulgaria forms pro-
jecting bastion at one end of the lne'
while the Dobrudscha forms another al
at the other end.
Taking these few Typographical ele'
ments as basis, non-military reader
lmay perhaps be able to comprehend