Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-12
RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.
BOTH POWERS WANT WAR.

Naval Work - The Part Turkey VIII
Take.
A London special says: The immi-
nence Of great war between Russia
and England has given rise in army and
navy circles to fruitful discussions OF
the plan of campaign to be adopted by
the latter. The gigantic engine which
England possesses in her navy will not
be available as in former wars. Though
Russia has made every effort to i'm
prove both her merchant marine and
her navy, they are as yet insignificant
in comparison with those Of other great
Powers. Her ports are few and well
fortified. Cronstadt, on the Baltic !;
Nicolaieff, Sebastopol, Odessa, Kertch,
and Batoum, on the Black sea, are
the only ports against which the
English navy will probably be
directed, and they are Gibraltars
after a fashion, each Of them aside from
its ordinary Notifications being provided
with a service Of torpedoes and torpedo
boats which render it almost impregna-
BILE. Petropsulovski and other Russian
settlements on the Siberian coast could
be captured without much difficulty,
but the blew would have no appreclable
effect on the Afghan campaign. The
only vulnerable point about Russia Is
her Blsck-sea shore. The easiest route
by which troops can be sent from Rus
STA to support an advance on Afshanis-
tan is clearly the Black sea and the
Trans Caucasian railroad. The converg-
ing railways Of Central and Southern
Russia admit Of the concentration
Of troops at Sebastopol, Odessa, and
Nicolaieff, from whence they can be
carried to Poti and Batoum by water
in about forty-eight hours. The rail-
way journey to Baku, on the Caspian,
would not occupy as much time, and
Michaelovski, on the opposite coast, the
head Of the Sarakhs route, could be
reached in another day. The weak
point in this line Of communication is
the trip across the Black sea. Russia's
only other means Of shipping troops
and supplies to the seat of war would
be by the long and circuitous route of
the Volga.
An immense English feet will be
concentrated Immediately in the Black
sea. The attitude Of Turkey hence be-
comes a matter of the gravest import
ance. 1t is firmly believed here that
there is a thorough understanding be-
tween the Porte and the English Govern
msnt, but the recent coquetry Of the
former with Russia has created suspi-
cions in the public mind. Should Tur-
key be hostile to England tho navy
Of the latter would have to force pas
sage up the Dardanelles and Bospho-
rous. | think it may be taken for
granted, however, that Turkey will
support England with all her available
resources. The English fleet, once in
the Black sea, would block Russia 5 near
est route to Afghanistsn. The iron
olads Of the latter, which were directed
to remain in the Black sea, have been
recently ordered to the Siberian and
Chinese coasts, evidently to prevent
their capture or destruction by supe-
rior English force. England will,
therefore, have nothing to oppose her
in the EuIinc except the tOrpedo-bOats.
These are nearly all Of the latest pat
tern, and the most formidable yet con-
structed. They are belived to be capa-
bic Of magnificent work, and may reyo-
lutionize naval warfare before the end
Of the struggle. The English feet will,
with this exception. have clear field,
and can batter away at Russia S fortified
cities as long and as often as it pleases.
Should the general impression be cor
rect that Turkey is thoroughly in accord
with England, the war may differ ma
terislly from what is now expected. 1t
is a mistaken idea to suppose that the
military force of Turkey was spent in
the last war with Russia, and that as
All ally she would be Of little account.
Turkey possesses an army which would
enable her to mobilize in Asia Minor
alone some $4,000 or 10000 men
with the greatest ease, provided the ne
eessary funds were forthcoming. The
Sultan has been steadily at work since
1877 preparing for the next attack of
Russia. The testimony Of the powers
of endurance and fighting qualities OF
the Turkish soldier is too recent to
need repetition. The mighty military
resources of the Russian empire, cou-
pied with those Of her allies fighting
for life, wore severely taxed to defeat
him in 1877, and he has not degene-
rated. An effort will probably be
made, with every hope of success, to
capture Batoum. The Lazes would
rise to man, with the pros
pect of being freed from the Russian
yoke. Potti could be taken and
an advance made upon Titlis, the
effect of which might be to cause gene
raj rising throughout the Caucasus.
Untold thousands Of these people have
experienced the utmost horrors Of Rus
sia's rule. Families have been divided,
husbands torn from their wives, parents
from their children, and in gangs Of
two or three thousands hurried through
the rigors of a Russian winter to the
mines Of Siberia, while complaints OF
murmurs have been eiIectually silenced
by the soldiers musket. These cruel.
ties are fresh and ranking, and no feel.
ing of patriotism will cOndope them.
A diversion in the Caucasus would
quickly put an end for many years to
come to the ambitious designs of Rus
STA on Afghanistan, and in both army
and navy circles this seems at present
to be the most favored plan Of cam
paign, aside from the protection Of tho
Afghan border.
THE LONDON FITNESS " COMMENT
ON THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF
PICERs BEING REWARDED.
[By cable TO the Dispatch.l
LONDON, April 1.-THE Time,
says that subsequent development
have not lessened the gravity Of thu
situation. The country will not b.
satisfied with De Gier's reply, which
commits Russia to no condemnation o
Komarcff's action, and provides for de
lay when days and hours are Of vita