The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-15
PLEVEA.

The fierce conflict now raging among
the adjacent Notifications Of Plevna 10
pregnant with import to the whole civil
lied world.
For several days the enormous forces
OF the Grand Duke Nicholas, directed
by q combination Of all the military
talent of Russia, from the Imperial
commander. In chief Of all her armies,
to the most dashing and brave brigadier
In her service, have been hurled against
this devoted town and It's gallant defend
ers. An army Of one hundred and fifty
thousand men, with nearly five hundred
pieces of field artillery and siege guns.
have been for week charging and bat
tering the redoubts and breastworks,
which, as they are, seem to be the keys
to the arch that supports the Ottoman
empire.
The garrison of Plevna. numbering
hardly more than one-half the force of
It's powerful assailant is apparently
making a wonderful defense of this most
important position. Though, as the
telegraph informs as, some OF the prin-
cipal redoubts OF the place have been
carried by storm, still the comparative
attitude Of the two opposing forces has
been little changed since the fighting
began. The Russians have gained the
redoubts at an enormous sacrifice of
men. In several assaults they have lost
M La ~ n ,,o ~ c,,.o :, 4 ,,,,, a., 1,;1l,1 -
wounded at each attack. The Turks,
covered by breastworlss, and fighting
generally on the defensive, have suf-
fered comparatively little in men,
though they have apparently lost as
much In position as the Russians have
in force.
Thus, az far as the great battles OF
Plevna have gone they have neither
resulted in Russian victory nor Turk
ish defeat. II actual defeat Is on either
side 1t seems to be with the Russians.
After ample preparations, having
brought an overwhelming force against
the place, and evidently hoping to
carry 1t aby storm, they have been
checked In every onslaught, have
gained only a few Of she outworks, and
are now compelled to resort to the slow
and tedious process of siege, If our
dispatches may be credited.
This prospective siege is likely to re-.
suit ultimately In favor of the Russians.
The Grand Duke Is apparently trying
the same tactics against Osman Pasha
that Grant employed against Lee at
Petersburg. With an army that can be
recruited faster than the Turks can de-
stroy its men, the siege can be kept out
till the weaker force is worn out by at
triton. IL Suleiman Pasha or Mehemet
Ali could reinforce the beleaguered
General q different story might
be told. But they are Of as much as-
eistance to Osman Pasha as Dick Tay-
lor and Joe Johnston were to Lee.
Thus the indications are that Plevna
will fall, and the Russians win victory
which will enable them to turn their
army before Plevna on the other two
Turkish armies and thus decide the war.
The consequences of such result would
be startling. Should the main Turkish
army at Plevna be annihilated as con-
lemplated by the Russians. then 1t
would seem that Adrianople and Con-
would be open to the in
RAIDER, unless other powers should in
,ervene.
With some satisfactory settlement Of
The government of the northwestern
provinces Of Turkey. Austria would evil
iently be satisfied whatsoever disposi-
ion should be made Of the conquered |
Ottoman Empire. Prussia has already
,vinoed a marked disposition to neglect
he matter OF Russian ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I not manifest hope that the Cars
power should be extended. Italy only
herself about the Adriatic |
and England remains the
,nly deeply Interested power in the
natter.
Undoubtedly, with her vast posses
ions involving the vital interests of the
tome governments, 1t might almost be
aid that at present she controls the
lestinies Of the civilized world. With
mother great power, less civilized, less
Interested In the interests Of other ma
ions, and less sympathetic with all
matters pertaining to their advance
nent, replacing her in the first position
a all the world. these other nations
would suffer from some radi-