Year: 1877




General Gourko's operation in rear of
Plevna is of tho greatest Importance in
the critical condition of Osman's forces.
For over three months the Russian army
in European Turkey has made no advance.
It has not gone step beyond the point it
had reached early in July. It's march, which
threatened to sweep over the Balkans and
into the surprised cities beyond, was ar
rested by the occupation of Plevna on its
tanks; and the presence Of o Turkish army,
comparatively inconsiderable in numbers, at
that point has paralyzed all that momentous
activity and forced halt that has continued
through the summer. Fifty thousand men
in fortified position have stopped
an invading force OF at least two
hundred thousand, checkmated them COM
pletely, compelled them to waste the sum-
mer in futile operations to free their fanks
from this dangerous presence. and finally
brought them perilously near to the winter
without permitting step Of practical
progress beyond what was attained before
Plevna was occupied. This is great mill
tary success, and il il shall be maintained
to the end-if at the last the Russians are
finally foiled in front Of the stronghold on
the Vid-Osman Pacha's triumph will be
one Of the most noteworthy in the history
Of modern wars one Of the greatest sue
cesses Of skill and tenacity that ever restored
the equilibrium Of an unequal conflict. But
the end is not, reached yet, and crisis is
at hand that may overwhelm the conqueror
Osman. If Osman can hold out for the
short time that comes between this and
winter, and then get away he will accom-
plish wonders for when the winter has
rendered operations impossible his presence
at Plevna will be unnecessary to prevent
the Russian advance, and the point desira-
BILE then will be to save the army. But if
Ghazi Osman's success is not carried to the
final point, II at last the Muscovites over
come his gallant resistance. their triumph
will be almost as great as if they
had reached Constantinople for the
effect Of the events incident to the
occupation Of Plevna has been to con-
centrate the war in Europe at that point.
Save only the force necessary to hold other
menaced points all the power that the Porte
can WELD in Bulgaria Is in Plevna or near
it, and if that power is crushed, more espe-
cially now that the Russians have gained o
great success in Armenia. the Ottomans
will not be able to fight another
great battle in Europe, and the
complete destruction Of the force at
Plevna is imminent. It was intended, per-
haps, that it should retreat and winter at
Orchanie, and, therefore, the story was
spread that it was intended to supply
Plevna for the winter. But the Russians
have "taken o bond of fate" on this
point The establishment Of Q strong
force in rear Of Plevna will compel general
action, for which they are certainly far bet
ter prepared than the Turks. For if the
Turks are on the run they will have to fight
their way out; but if they anticipate sup
plies and the supplies fail to reach them
they must fight battle rather than starve
in their lines. Decisive events are, there
fore, imminent; for if the Turks win the
campaign reaches close disastrous for the
Russians, while if they lose they have no
further hope in battle and must make peace
on the victor's terms.