THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3909, 27 April 1877, Page 2

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE ON CONSTANTINOPLE. (From the "New Zealand Herald.") A gentleman who has personally visited a large portion of the country which will be the theatre of war between the armies of Russia and Turkey, sends us the following respecting the Russian army and the routes by which it must advance on Constantinople : — " Many of your readers will be able to bring back to their recollection that on opening their morning paper three and twenty years ago, the heading 'The War in the East,' printed in large letters met their gaze, and now the old familiar title will again attract our attention, causing us to scan most eagerly in the telegraphic columns for the latest news. It is said that the present time may be compared to that in which we read of the doings of Naysmith and Butler, in the glorious defence of Silistria in 1853-4, so shall we also be now on the gui vive to learn what action will be taken by some of our recognised best officers who have signified their intention of taking service with the Turks to meet their old enemy — notably Colonel Valentine Baker. Those who are an coumnt with events at home, are aware that through the columns of one of our most popular and reliable journals, the Army and Navy Gazette. the editor (Dr. Russell) has informed the British public that the applications received by Colonel Baker from officers who have served in Her Majesty's army hav£~ become so numerous that it is impossible for him to reply to them ; but that, on the declaration of Avar, he would, through the columns of that paper, inform them of the course they would have to pursue in order to join the Turkish army and serve under him. Thus to the interest, which the war between Tin-key and Russia naturally causes, will be added the exciting fact that a body of our own countrymen will be fighting on the side of the Turks. The strength of this contingent of volunteers cannot at present be stated; but if large, there can be no doubt but it will make its influence felt both in the Government and the country, and may be one of the causes of war between England and Russia. " The European journals give approximate estimates of the strength of the Russian army which will invade Turkey. The Austrian military paper thinks that Russia cannot possibly bring more than 250,000 men wherewith to coerce the Turks in Europe, to which may be added the Roumanian army, numbering 00,000 men. 120,000 Russians are already on the march to the Pruth. The march to the Pruth means that they are transported by railroad to Jassy, and from thence they will go to Bucharest, occupying those fortified positions on the Danube J^hich are touched by rail, viz., Galatz, Brailo^, and Giurgero. Again, from Bucharest they will pass through Gajova to .Khalafat, the tetc dc pont of Widdin. ' ' The Damibe may be crossed at Oltenitza, or rather Turtokai, at an island very near Silistria, again at Hirsova, but Saturnova and Tuldscha, situated in the delta, are the preferable points. At Tuldscha there is a bar across the river, with barely fourteen feet of water on it. To bring the 130,000 men assembled at Kischenev to the banks of the Danube will take at least eight days. What the plans of the Russians may be for passing the Danube it is impossible to know ; but if they follow the plans of Colonels Berg and Rudiger, which were so successfully adopted by Marshal Wittgenstein in 1828^namely, to make the fall of Varna, Silistra, and Sclmmla necessary before the grand operation, then Ibrail (Brailow), with Saturnova and Tuldscha will be the chosen spots. If the Western or Timok Valley be taken, then Rachosa and Giurgevo will be the main points. ' ' There are but six passes by which an army can pass the Balkans, and all the passes verge on the second line of defence, namely, Tirnavo, Schumla, Privada, and Varna. In 1828-20, the Russians had the command of the Black Sea, disembarking some 0000 to 10,000 men at Bugas, a small town south of the Balkan ranges, thereby taking the Turks in the rear, and facilitating the chosen route. The western route via the Valley of the Timok, will enable the Russians to strike the raiiroad at Sophia ; but their further advance will be much impeded by the strong natural position at Phillippopoli. I propose in my next letter to show what means of defence the Turks will probably employ to prevent the passing of the Danube, and their capabilities of withstanding the Russians in Asia Minor. ■ — Austria. "