The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-02

Inc Operations In Bulgaria.
Mehemet Ali is reported to intend move
ment III large force against the Russians
at Tirnova and it is further reported
that there is a radical division at Russian
headquarters as to the further conduct
of the campaign. Both reports may be
accurate, for the mountain range is neces-
sarily the central point of reasoning for all
strategic conceptions in the theatre OF war,
and the course to be pursued is far palmer
for the Turkish commander than tor his
adversary. Mehemet Ais function is to
deliver Gripping blow at once, for it's effect
on the Russians, at Constantinople and
throughout Europe. This is what he was
appointed for primarily, and it was because
there was no hope for such feat from
Abdul Kerim that he was sent to the rear.
The relation is in one aspect analogous
to what occurred IN the Southern Confed-
eracy when General Hood was put forward
in place of General Johnston, in order that
he might eight the enemy all the time,"
without regard to other consequences than
the immediate effect of few battles upon
1t is, of course, far from immaterial where
Mehemet Ali strikes his enemy, but he has to.
consider where he can strike with some hope
of surviving his own blow. If he could per-
form this feat near the river all the strategic
edifice thus far framed on the mountain
victory gained anywhere near the lines Of
communication or near the Russian depots
in the Danube Valley would return great
deal more for the amount laid out than
victory against the Russian adj
vance, to gain which the Ottoman
1t is TO be assumed, therefore, that if Me-
hemet Ali really moves against the enemy
at Tirnova with sixty thousand men that
he is Of opinion that it is hopeless TO try
this manpuvre at more accessible points.
This is practical evidence of the highest
value as to the strength of the Russian lines.
If all the force covered by the quadrilateral,
with the cooperation of the large force re-
ported to be at Plevna, is insufficient for on
enterprise in the valley, the invasion is al
ready so far success that only an imbecility
equal to that displayed in Asia can put it in
peril. And it is unlikely that imbecility OF
that sort should be displayed at the head of
two great armies in the same year.
In every part of the Balkan Peninsula the
Turks are urged onward by the same i'm
pulse that stirs Mehemet Allan apprehen-
sion with regard to their heads, officially
4 C,,1a D. IL. D
Pacha have already formed a junction
south of the Balkan, and will endeavor to
crush the Russians that have passed the
mountain; while the report that Mehemet
Ali is to cooperate with Osman Pacha in an
attempt to cripple the Russians at Tirnova
may correctly indicate the Ottoman inten-
tions. 1t is reported that Osman Pacha
has decisively beaten the Russian force that
assailed him at Plevna but this report is
on the authority of the London Daily Tele-
graph and Standard II is exaggerated, as we
believe, he has enough on his hands at home
and will not go to Tirnova just yet But if the
report be true then the three columns pre-
sent threatening aspect on paper. 1t
should be remembered that great army in
three parts with the enemy between and
nearer to any one part than any one part is to
another is itself in far more dangerous
position than the enemy whom 1t ostensibly
threatens, but to whose blows it exposes its
force in detail. If the three Ottoman col
umns are operating as reported we must ex-
pect to hear in a day or two that one of them
has been annihilated by an overwhelming
not the skill to put the facts in that shape
they will hardly get to Constantinople this