Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-08-22
RUSSIAN INACTIVITY,

of such an understanding, but Gro
witch appears to have since yielded
to the influence of Ristich.
RUSSIAN INACTIVITY.
LONDON, Aug. 1S.-Advices from
Bucharest and Sistova show that the
Russians have made no preparations
against bad weather. Even the fat
island, over which there is an APP
proach more than mile long to the
pontoon bridge, shows no sign of
road making, although 100 infantry
soldiers have idled away their time
for several months, it is now mass
of mud, as the wagons have made its
surface almost impossible on the
Island side, where the roads to Biela
and Tirnova run up the steep hill
sides.
PART OF THE DABRUDsCHA FORCE
has already passed through Rouman-
la and again crossed the Danube
about ten miles above Rustchuk; but
operations on the other side are delay
ed by the rain which has made the
road practically impossible for artil-
lery and trains.
The great part of the line of COM
munication with the army is over
mere cart tracks, beaten with dust in
fine weather and churned into deep
mud when il rains.
THE SICK.
Lately the sick were sent back at
the rate of three hundred per day,
and there are signs Of increasing sick
ness within the lines on the other side
of the Danube.
sHIPKA PASS,
which is held by the Russians, was
blockaded at the southern entrance
and will probably have to be evacu-
ated unless the Russians attack and
defeat one of the three Turkish corps
which now form q semicircle from
Rasgrad to Pleyna. Some critics
appear to think that
THE RUSSIAN ADVANTAGE
lies in the continued inactivity and
further concentration. but the in
creasing ravages of disease in the
Russian camp is an Offset against the
arrival of reinforcements and may
compel their generals to attack Plevna
or Rasgrad before strategical concen-
trations would authorize such an
undertaking. 1t is reported also that
PUBLIC OPINION IN RUSSIA
is powerfully affected by the failure
before Plevna. Echoes Of this dissat-
isfaction may reach the army in the
field, and tend to tempt the military
advisers of the Emperor to urge some
enterprise that may be well deferred
until the forces can be concentrated.
THE RUSSIANS IMPROBABLE IN BULGA-
RIA.
The Vienna Political Corrcspon.
dence has Bucharest telegram say.
ing, "Gen. Gourkho declares that the
Russian positions from the Danube
to Shipka Pass are so strong that the
Turks will not venture an attack"
Both armies are constantly en-
trenching themselves. The Turks
especially hold wonderfully strong
position at Plevna, but Osman Pasha
is nevertheless in difficult situation
because the numerous cavalry at
tached to the $4,000 Russians con-
fronting him completely cut of his
communication with Sofia and cap
tured his conveys of ammunition and
provisions. The Russians will not
undertake operations until the whole
guard arrives from ST. Petersburg.
This signifies the pause of fort
night or three weeks.
LONDON, August 2O.--A correspon-
dent of the daily NeUs at Staidem,
headquarters of Grand Duke Nicho-
las, referring to the despatch of the
Fourth Cavalry division on an inde-
pendent expedition for the purpose
of stopping Turkish communication
with Sophia, by blockading Ochoor-
dix Pass, telegraphs as follows:
1t is felt here that this could have
been done earlier but if successful
now it will still have good results.
In the event of q crushing Turkish
defeat at Plevna it would 20 far to
make itanother Sedan expedition and
as obviously hazardous. The same
correspondent says he understands
that Servian Intervention is now GER
tain. He also says the activity of the
Turks at Plevna in sending out cav
airy rec0nnOisances seems as though
they had some intention of taking the
offensive
The weather is fine again and the
roads are rapidly changing from mud
to dust. The recent rains have not
materially effected the health Of the
troops.
CoNsTANTIsoPLE, August PA
Servian diplomatic agent here has de-
clarcd that Servia has NO knowledge
of any intention on the part Of Rus
STA to send an army through Servia.
He denies that Servia has resolved to
participate in war, and states no
troops have been sent to the frontier.
LONDON, August, 2O.-A dispach
from Canea says there Is a panic
there. Two Turks having been MUIR
dered their compatriots demand re-
venge. The Turks came. to town