Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-04-20
The Coming Eastern Conflict.

Gen. Sherman has been interviewed IN
reference 70 the war between Russia and Tur-
key, now apparently inevitable. lie regards
both Russia and Turkey as having larger and
better disciplined armies than ever before,
and thinks that with their improved arms and
modes of warfare, the world will witness
some of the greatest battles ever fought, so
far as the destruction of life is concerned.
The conflict will, in all probability, involve
at the least million of lives, and not all
Russians and Turks either. In the General $
opinion, Turkey will scarcely stand the
shock.
Admiral Porter is reported as saying that
the war will be one of the most gigantic and
important to Europe, that has taken place.
But it is a mistaken idea that Turkey will
be wiped out in day. He thinks the Rus
SLAMS will never capture Constantnople,
their navy being unequal to the task. They
have only about 81 iron clads, and pa YES
sells of war Of other kinds. There are only
10000 men in their navy, and 1855 guns.
The Turks have 20 frst-class iron clads, 81
other war vessels, l,2lS guns, and $4,000
men in the navy, Russia has no fleet in
the Black sea, and the entrance from the
Mediterranean sea is lined with Turkish
forts, and DISTRACTED with chains, sunken
hulks and tOrpedoes 1t is not probable that
a successful run of such gauntlet can be
made by n Russian fleet. The Turks are
thoroughly aroused, and animated by
fierce religious fanaticiSm They have the
best of arms, made chiefly by American man
uiacturers. Despite the crippled condition
of her finances, Turkey is organizing armies
in the most amazing manner. She has now
10000 men at the front. $4,000 along
the Danube. with s. 900 more a. Widen
and Rahowa. Here arc 1875, 600 to start
with. Her second line behind the Balkans
is to be 200, 900 strong. A third line of no
uncomfortable strength is to defend Constan-
tinople The second and third lists of re-
serves have already been called for, and
arms and munitions Of war are pouring into
the country. Russia has already expended
$4,000, 900 in strengthening the defences
of the Black Sea. Her Southern army, now
ready for the field, independent OF the re-
serves and recruits which are being muster
ed in all parts of the Empire, numbers fully
$50 900 men.
Much excitement is reported at Vienna,
the Austrian government having lost all
hope of the maintenance of peace, and the
people believing that, should war come,
Austria must be drawn into it, sooner or
later; and the drawing in of Austria would
imply a general European contest. Such a
war could hardly fail to benefit trade
and commerce in the United States. 1t
would create a large European demand
for American grain and flour and pro-
visions of all kinds, and the effect Of
Of this would be to stimulate manufactures
and business in nearly every branch of in
dustry. Ocean freights would partake Of
the improvement, and if England were drag
ged into the vortex of the war, American
commerce, having the preference for the
carrying trade. would get start which it
has not enjoyed for nearly twenty years.
with these thoughts in their |
minds, to say nothing of the concern which |
they feel in the promotion of Christianity |
and civilization in Turkey, will eagerly |
watch every days development of the East
ern question.