The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-05-03

curing its eXlSte nee. Inc reason LOT tHls
war was the regretable distrust Of Govern
ments toward each other. France had made
great strides in her defenses. Uncommonly
large masses of troops were at present be-
tween Paris and the German frontier. Every
thing France did for her Army received the
undivided approval Of her people. She was
decidedly in advance of Germany in having
her cadres for war ready in time of peace.
Germany could not avoid measure design
ed to compensate for it.
The increased grant for Captaincies was
then adopted. The Progress, Centre, and
Socialist parties voted against it.
LONDON, April 25.-rhe Times Berlin
dispatch gives additional quotations from
Gen. Won Moltke's speech in the German Par
lament Yesterday. The General stated that
Etlza French military budget exceeded the,
German by 10000, 900 francs year, exclu-
sive of extraordinary grants. He would not dis
cuss the question whether France intend
ed to bear this enormous burden for pro-
longed period, or whether she was arming
for definite purposes only;but he must needs
say that as much as he desired peace he did
not believe in it. The French journals were
full of spite and hatred against Germany.
France remembered how many times she
had invaded disunited Germany. The French
apprehend similar treatment now that Ger
many was united. Hence the haste, zeal,
and uncommon intelligence with which
the colossal work of French Army reorgani-
cation was being completed. Hence the 10
eating OF excessively large numbers of French
troops, especially cavalry and artillery, be-
tween Paris and the German frontier, a
measure which Germany would sooner or
later be obliged to reciprocate. In France
the Army was the pride Of all political par
ties. Its defeats were forgotten, and its fu-
ture was regarded with confidence. In Ger
many there was marked disposition to be
niggardly toward the Army. The new cap
taincies proposed were intended to prepare
122 important officers in peace for the work
they would have to do in war. Depend up
on it, these captains would have very little
spare time for amusement if they were ap-
pointed.
According to late reports the Russians had
5000 cavalry at kischeneff, and about l20,-
600 infantay, with 1872 guns, while altogeth-
er they have nearly 100000 men and 900
guns between the Crimea and the Austrian
frontier. The nearest crossing on the DAN
ube is at Silistria, at which point the Tur ks
made the gallant defence against the Rus
sian advance in 1854, during the Crimean
war. 1t was invested by Gortchakof and
afterwards by Paskevitch;but after lombard
ing it for 80 days the Russians retreated
with loss of about Il. 900 men and most of
their armament. The Turks are reported to
have now is, 900 men at Silistria. The next
nearest point of crossing the Danube is at
Rustchuk, where there are 10000 Turks,
while in and around Widdin, where it is be-
lieved the Russians intend to cross, are 55,-
900 Turks with LA guns. Widdin is a forth
fled town in west Bulgaria, $40 miles from
Constantinople. 1t is situated on wide plain
formed by bend of the Danube, opposite
Kalafat in Little Wallachia, and is of great
strategetic Importance. The fortress, though
frequently assailed, has never been captured
and is hence called the ssVirgin Fort" The
Notifications were strengthened during the
Crimean war when the environs on both
banks of the Danube were for time the
principal theatre of the war. At Kalafat,
opposite Widdin, the Russians lost 10000
men in their operations against the Turks,
and in 1854 the latter repulsed vigorous at
tack by the Russians at the same point. It
is estimated that the entire Turkish force
now in Bulgaria amounts to 1l5, 900 infant
ry, 5000 artillery, PIG guns and 5000 gum
ners in the fortress of the Danube. As the
Russian advance numbers at least 200, 900
men and 600 guns, the Turkish first line of
defence, that of the Danube, would seem to
be inadequate to resist the preponderating
forces against them, but in the past they
have shown the ability to resist even greater
odds In the way of Russian attack, and the
Russians now will probably not march to
easy victory.
RUSSIAN FLEET ON AMERICAN WATERS.
A suggestion that may have something in
it is made that in the presence of the Russian
fleet in this country will yet have an impor-
tant bearing in the progress of the war, if
war actually occurs. The suggestion is that
the fleet, in the event of hostilities in the
East, would find field of work just outside
of the American waters, which would be of
incalculable value to Russian interests. This
assertion is based upon the fact that Turkey
will draw heavily upon American markets
for her munitions of war and commissary
stores, and that the fast sailing Russian
vessels would be employed in running down
and capturing these cargoes as the vessels
carrying them attempt to leave American
waters. Another Russian fleet is cruising
along the coast of California, and there can
be no doubt that it is on the same mission.
All Of these vessels sent here by the Gear are
fast sailers, and should England become in
terested in the struggle these men Of war
would ravage Englis commerce. The Rus
sian vessels are not only along the American
coast, but in the East Indian waters, where
they propose to take care of the British COM
merce in case Of war.
Charles NJ. Sterling, tramp, was hanged
at Youngstown, Ohio, Saturday, for the muir
der Of Lizzie Grombacher, aged IA, near that
place, in January, 1877. The girl was found
in the woods stranglea with her veil and
brutally outraged. The crime was traced to
Sterling. He asserted his innocence to the