WAR ITEMS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3908, 17 May 1877, Page 2

WAR ITEMS.

THE LATE CONFERENCE. Nothing can now be more clear, says the Broad Arrow, amidst the confusion of the Eastern Question, than the fact that if Europe -wants the mouths of the Danube defended against the aggressions of Russia Europe must arrange for their defence. England can buy the corn she wants elsewhere than on the shores of the -Black Sea, and will reserve her strength for a time. and occasion when her honor or her real interests require her to strike an ■-■* effective blow. If the Conference hag produced no other result, it has given the Powers time to think, and opportunity " from time to time of realising the folly of • their previous thoughts. ' " STATE OF RUSSIAN TROOPS. A letter from Russia says :— " Do not ? believe a word of what is said about the .- '■'• • sad state of the Russian troops in Bessarabia. I have seen them with my own eyes, and. can assure you that there are .- now in Bessarbaria not less than 250,000 men, splendid- troops, comfortable and - warmly clad from head to foot ; fine^ robust men, inured to fatigue, and quite "* ready to march. The artillery is very fine— all guns of the latest models, and s the general temper is excellent. The men are desirous of fighting, but without brag. None of them dream of going to Constantinople, but simply of crossing swords- at last with the Turks.. ,At any. rate,, they are told not to think of being led to Constantinople. " AN IRONCLAD. A small detail may sometimes bring home more vividly ■to the mind the enormous expense of maintaining such a force as the Navy of England than any statement, such as that contained in the estimates, of its' aggregate cost. When figures amount to millions they do not; as a. rule, convey any very definite idea to men' accustomed perhaps' to deal only with hundreds. The amount is nised as enormous ; but it has only a land of indefinite magnitude. A million or two added or subtracted do not materially alter ;the impression produced on the mind. But, on the other hand, such a piece of information as '"that theDreadriought burnt fifty tons d£ : coal during one of , her trials last ? week/ does convey a very tangible conception.: In a single trial, which lasted for a^fewihdurs, and which took place ; as a. matter? of ordinary routine, a single ship-consumed as much fuel as would supply four orHive moderate sized householdV forlaHtwelyemonth. Steaming for a-dayat the same rate she would burn' about '- 240- fons. Arid yet the Dreadnought is notf'an'extravagant eater of coals.- : On/ the contrary,- we are informed that ' she; is "an economical steamer. The. Thtirf&erer would require to be fed with about eigfity tons of coal a day more. . "With such facts as these before us, we cannot be surprised that our naval estimates have of late r years assumed formidable dimensions. EGYPT AND THB WAR. ' - '"■ ] A correspondent sends the following extract from Colonel Colley's report, to show what help Egypt is able to reader |" Turkey in her war against Russia:—" "Egypt is now pledged to- furnish, ,'an army of 30,Q00 men complete with cavalry «> and guns. ~ The Egyptian army is almost - the creation of >the present ruler, ilssmail Pasha, who on his accession'/ found only two infantry regiments and a few detachf } ments of irregulars. It.now numbers on^ a war strength 60,000 infantry,- i 2>500 cavalry, and 144 guns. These troops are all organised and drilled on principles, mainly after French models. C Many of. the highest officials are actually ' old French officers. In addition 'tbwese, Egypt maintains a force ot.QQQO, spndschak's or irregular troops, who receive! a) higher rate of pay, but are required to' arm, "clotHe, and-fe~ed themselves, and'are permanently stationed on her frontiers. In case of war Egypt can, raise 10,000 irregular cavalry among the tribes ithat are subject to her." "-..■'.''. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE— RUSSIA, /AUSTRIA, GERMANY. We learn from The Times of February 5, that the German semi-official Press is urging Austria to come to an understanding with Russia ; but it is asserted, ibhat French intrigue is at work inimical to iGermany, and having for its object ■ the destruction of the present supposed triple alliance. A remarkable letter appears in the JPolitische Corresponds denza, from Berlin,- which states thai the intrigues referred to have been at? ■< tempted both in Constantinople and St. : Petersburgh. France, it is said therei i has recognised that Russia is too much. " engaged to withdraw altogether, and that Prince Gortschakoff .cannot w,ell end his-: official career in Olmuetz," above- all '^£\ face of Turkey. But Russia ~w£ntis a" friend less for active co-operatiqn'than v t ; b protect her frank and rear, and France, knowing the difficulties of the position of Austria,, offered to be such a Mendl, and hoped thus to break up the triple, alliance of the Emperors. The German Press, by repelling such an attempt, has stood up likewise for the interests of Austria. If the three Imperial Powers go together, Austria has serious guarantees for the protection of her interests on the Danube. This is the meaning of the advice .of the Golos, that Servia should withdraw her stake in the game. It maybe gathered from this hOw things will stand if' the triple alliance ■ -was broken "iipy; and a Russo-Frerich entente was , brought fin, while probably third would not be" wanting either. Austria would thus be kept in check, and Germany, against her will and her interest, might find herself into warlike complications. -Reference is then made ; to a Vienna letter in.the n Augsberger Algemeine Zeitung, which says v that-itiis not clear what- Germany would do in case Russia and Austria could not come to an understanding. '; RUSSIAN CIVILISATION."" 1 ' 0 '" I . At the present time, when the relative" civilisation of Russia and Turkey .is' often-; t times', contrasted, the subjoined extracts from the Illustrated London News oi. the:s 2nd November, 1861, . will show how Russia; metes put her kindness, to the people whom she deprived of national liberty :— ' ' The Catholic and Protestant Churches and the Jewish Synagogues at i Warsaw remain closed, but the negotiations for reopening them continue. The people pray before the doors of -the churches. National songs are ho longer. ■ siing. A letter from Warsaw thus de- ' scribes the state of tilings, in the city :— l * Not more than three persons are allowed to stand together in the streets. Consequently, if you happen to be talking, with* a couple of friends, the arrival of a third, is as dangerous as the attack of a numeiv i ous enemy. A movement more and the • - knout of a Cossack will either break up;' the quiet reunion, or, if the savage be : gifted with a higher sense of duty, drive •"' you before him in the direction of the' Casemates. Sticks are utterly tabooed,' and the most elegant cane in- the ',; hands of a ■ dandy suffices 'to - "expose" * the bearer to the danger of donning a convict's suit.- The majority of the beer. . houses have been shut up, and pickets are stationed at the corners of the streets. -Tpi ceep up a friendly connection between themilitary guardians posted respectively at the top and bottom of a public thoroughfare, patrols consisting of twelve infantry with a Cossack in front and rear, perambulate backwards and forwards like bears in a den. On the large square the eye meets with the" refreshing sight of guns, _ tents, and i wooden huts occupied- 'bygrinning.: barbarians and their ..equine; : i associates in the cause of .order and civili-^, sation. All . the various" regiments have 'Z been ordered to resume the cockade, which' ' x a deference to the national feeling had prompted the Czar to shelve but a little time back." . „., ;-: :., . _ /_ .~i