Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-05
Kilograms to The Star.
EUROPEAN WAR PREPARATIONS.
Russian Expedition to India.
RAILROAD STRIKE IN THE WEST,
Singular Railroad Disaster.
MAKING READY FOR WAR.
Gortschakof 10 Reply 20 Salisbury
YrenIRr.

NEW YORK, April 5-A st. Petersburg spe-
clal sayS:-Prince Gortschakof is engaged
PREPARING a diplomatic note in reply to Lord
1old OBJECT. III viii satisfy Count AndrasSy,
and will conclude with an ultimatum for Eng
land. Prince Gortschakoi appears 10 have
made up his mind for war.
A Russian Expedition 10 British
India.
Gen. Tchernayeff has been appointed 10 the
command of special corps OF eclareurs des-
tined To penetrate rapidly into the heart OF
Central Asia, i'm the countries where the Rus
sian armies have already been on several
expeditions. This special corps will be COM
posed of CoSSackS and horse artillery and
Will be augmented on the march by such re
cruitS as the general commanding may see fit
TO take. Tchernayeh came TO st. Petersburg
some weeks ago for the purpose OF receiving
his instructions with regard 10 the route 10 be
followed, and conferring with the military
authorlties on the preparations for the expe-
ultlon. lie was received 10y the Car on Sun
day, March "A. and afterwards had several
consultations with the heads of the army
Immediately after these interviews General
lchefnaSen departed from ~. Petersburg and
set out for his destination. He is now travel
ing by rapid stages, and may be heard from
soon. There is no doubt that the objective
point OF his expedition is British India. So
certain do the authorities here feel of a war
with England that the preparations have been
thus early begun SO that no time may be lost
after hoStllltleS commence
The Military Situation.
LONDON, April, 5.-The military situation is
beginning 10 attract attention. The Seryian
occupation OF Bulgaria. as far as PleVna is
believed 10 bc intended 10 cover the Russian
line OF communication and relieve the Rms
sian troops which will be concentrated south
OF the Balkans. At the same time. there are
indications that the Russian troops lately at
SOFIA ana north OF Adrlanople, are moving to-
wards the southeast perhaps because il is con
Sldered advisable 10 strengthen as much rs
possible the army OF the Grand Duke Nicho-
las, as II may be the intention 10 abandon the
lines OF land communication and rely almost
exclusively lOr The conveyance of reserves
and supplies on marine transport over the
Black sea, IN consequence of the attitude of
the RoumanianS. From the latter point OF
view, II is very natural 10 infer that the Rus
SANS VIII do everything possible 10 keep the
BRUSH fleet out of the Black sea. though il is
not believed here that even the occupation of
the northern shore of the BoSphorus by the
russians would prevent Admiral Horribly from
forcing a passage. Some Russian divisions are
now echelonned on the road TO Buyukdere
and total force of about $4,000 troops
collected within easy striking distance
Between these and Buyukdere there are
some Turkish brigades which conld prob
ably hold the peace till assistance ar
rived II energctcally employed and Loyalty
commanded in cooperation with ths British,
Dut they must IN time be overwhelmed. for the
Russians, even allowing for all deductions
should sill muster at least SeVentv-five thOus-
and combatants in front of COnStantinople.
On the peninsula Of GallipOli or the neighbor-
ing mainland in front of the position of Bulair
there aIe probably about $4,000 Russians while
at Salomen and on the lines OF communica-
tion there may be scattered some 50.On0 more
The War office at st. Petersburg is stated To
be dissatisfied with the condition of the muster
rolls, and is making strenuous eXerliOns TO
hurry up the reserves. All the recruits sta
toned in the capital were thoroughly inspected
by the Emperor probably previous TO their
dispatch 10 the front. Dispatches from Con
Stantln0ple f0reshadOw the fall of Ahmed
Netik PaSha, President of the Council of Min
listers and Minister of the Interior and the
reconstruction ol the ministry i'm prO-Rus-
sian sense.