The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-01
RUSS AND TURK.

Now that the irrepressibie conflict be-
tween the Russ and the Turk, the Scyth-
jan and the Tartar, is actually inauyu-
ated, the attention OF the world is di-
,ected to the military movements trans
irinR along the lower Danube. The
lains of that historic stream are once
gain to become the theater of great
gar. The Russians are pushing forward
IN two heavy columns for the passage OF
that river-one in the direction of Wild
lin, the other lower down towards its
mouths, at Galatz. Which of these may
De the feint and which the real objective
point can not yet be known.
The passage by Galatz is the more di-
rect one towards Constantinople, the
course lying generally along the West
ern coast of the Black Sea. The Rus
SLAMS have trod this route before, in
1929, to attack Constantinople; and the
Romans marched over the same ground
tnr the same purpose centuries before the
ussians. But the conditions Of this
route are materially changed since the
,ussians made their previous march by
taat highway connecting the Danube
aud the Bosphorus, q distance of about
three hundred and eighty miles. Then
there was little in the way of military
esistance to encounter; now there are
immense fortified camps at the river
arossing, at Shumla, and at Varna,
erected by the Turks and held by them
in strong force. Likewise, on their
former march, the Russians had naval
command of the Black Sea, which en-
abled them to forward supplies from.
Odessa direct to Varna, there to meet
the land route; now the Turks have
naval control of that Sea, and have
already blockaded the Russian ports
thereon. These changed conditions
may induce the Russians to adopt the
more northern route, crossing at Wild
iln and passing through the central
portions of the peninsula, debouching
at Adrianople. This route is not SO
strongly fortified, it is much healthier,
among a friendly population, where sup
plies would be abundant. But it is much
longer, and the natural passes of the
Balkan Mountains more difficult. More
over, they would be exposed to attacks
ON their flanks, and the Austrian army
of observation would be in their rear /;
which might, in certain contingencies,
be found hazardous.
Up to the peace following the Crimean
war Russia had a strong naval force
dominating the Black Sea. This being
considered as standing menace Of Con-
Btantinople, by the treaty Of Paris, 1855,
the waters OF that Sea were neutralized,
and naval ornaments, beyond limited
number of light vessels, prohibited to
either Russia or Turkey. Consequently,
Russia could not construct feet in her
ports Of that Sea; and is therefore NOW
In a feeble condition as to any naval
force on its waters. Meanwhile, Turkey
rould buy or build naval vessels Of the
best class elsewhere; and having COM
mand Of the Bosphorus, the only en-
trance to that Sea from oceanic waters,
she was prepared to send heavy
squadron Of naval vessels, and
mostly iron-clads, directly from
their moorings at the Golden Horn into
the Black Sea to blockade and lombard
Russian ports on its northern and east
ern coasts. This course, under the
treaty OF 1855, gave the Turks very i'm
portant advantage, and which it was i'm
possible for Russia to prevent. The only
thing she could do was to protect her
Black Sea ports by defensive works OF
great strength, and particularly by
planting lines OF torpedoes across the
entrance to her harbors, OF such a vol
canic and diabolical character as to
make the Turks timid in their ap
proaches to these ports. Moreover, the
Tdrkisb navy is now commanded by an
EngIissman Of repntsd ability as .