The morning call., 1890-09-20
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Osman Pasha, one OF the ENJOYS OF the Sultan
TO the Emperor OF japan, who was among those
drowned by the laundering OF the Turkish man
Of.war ErtOgrul, was known as the hero OF
PleYna, on account Of the difficulties experienced
by tie Russians In 1877 IN trying 10 drive him
out of bis fortified position. The Bulgarian
town Of Plevna which lies amidst a series of hills
whose crests rise above it from 200 10 600 feet,
possessed certain military Importance, owing TO
its position at the junction OF the roads from
Widdin, Sofia. Shipka. Biea, ZimnitZa and Niko-
poll ana became one VI the great centers of op-
eIatiOns in the Tuico-Russian war. The Cars
forces. which had been defeated in two minor
attacks on the 2Oth and 30th of July, were again
Iepuised With loss of $4,000 men IN an assault
SeItember 9TH TO 18Th, in which 5000 Infantry
and 10000 cavalry were employed. The Rus
SLAMS and their allies formally invested the town
en- October oath and obliged Osman Pasha 10
surrender on December 10th. In ! AZ days the
assailants lost 10000 men and the defenders
10000. When Osman's name first became PROM
nent as a fighter it was reported that be was
Marshal Bazaine, the defender of Metz. then
that he was Prussan renegade, and finally that
lie was an American soldier of fortune by the
name OF Clay Crawford. O>man, however, was
Turk by race. birth and education. He first
took part in the Crlmean war. in the Cretan in
su1ection he won a Coonelcy, and for his serv
ices in The Turco-Russlan war he was made 4
Field Marshal.
Advocates of the abolition of capital punish
ment in Europe have received encouragement
from a new quarter, the Emperor Of Austria.
Recently when called upon TO sign the death
warrant OF a man who had taken the life of
another in the heat OF passion he essayed TO affX
his signature, but as lie wrote the first two or
three letters his tears began to fall GU the paper
and blOlted them. Turning TO the Ministers
waiting for the dread document, he said: See,
my tears obterate my name. 1 cannot sign tie
death warrant of 4 felloW-creature," at Tie
same time tearing the paper into pieces. 1t is
claimed that if the Emperor OF Germany and
Queen of England would follow the example of
Francis Joseph, the cause would ultimately
prove successful
The soldiers of the United States Army now
claim The proud distinction of being the best
shots in the world There are individual
soldiers in the European armies as good as
malksmen, and there are militiamen here that
are better" says Inspector-G General Breckn-
ridge, "but our teams beat the world for ac-
cuTate, combined shooting, and the average
craftsmanship of The army is the best earth.
Our teams are drilled that il one does not
bring DOWN his man the other VIII, the idea being
TO make the death rate OF the enemy very high
indeed" Experience gained III fighting Indians
has made many of the men quick and accurate
shots, advantages that their comrades have not
been slow 10 adopt.
As hero OF mimic warfare Emperor William
has not shown to advantage. His recent expert
ences have taught him the difference between
posing as second Frederick The Great clad in
armor and mounted on magnificent charger,
and the commander OF an attacking force. At
Natva an Impeluous charge resulted in The capt
ture of himself and troops and. as the leader Of
the final attack at Rohnstock, he suffered defeat
at tile hand OF his friend and ally Francis JOS
eph. Perhaps If Bismarck had been present
timely hint might have produced a different
suit.
In spite OF the politicians the Australian ballot
system is constantly gaining ground. Even an
opponent of the measure IN The Mississippi Con
stitutiona Convention upwiltingly made point
III its favor when, in denouncing it
pedient that would be " new, strange, expensive
and complicated" he added The declaration, in
a short time every niger In the State would
catch onto H."
While Ireland is threatened by famine. one
significant act of the Government will not escape
notice. that is the order Strengthening the vari-
Gus regiments stationed in the Green Isle by
filling the quotas now untitled, so that there will
be no lack at least OF bayonets for the starving
people. Balfour had better concentrate more
attention on the plans for alternating distress.