THE New Zealand Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1877.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4900, 31 July 1877, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1877.

Tun opinions which ono telegram leads us to form of the progress of the war in Europe—and so much is the interest centred in this, that tho war in Asia is but little thought of—-another telegram dissipates. Wo heard first by a telegram th.it the Russians had boen ropulsod at Silistria, and wero in clanger of having their communication.'! cut by a Turkish corps oneratiri_g from Plevna. Had this />een brought :iiuiM.K, Uhe situation of the Russians would have been perilous, but a later tolegiam puts a vastly different aspect on all'aii'.i, as we learn from this that tho .Russians had invested Sili&tria. And not only this, but, not content with crossing the Balkans opposite to Kesaulik, and marching on Philippopolis, which place the Turks are novr said to be

5 evacuating, they aro advancing by i another route across tho Balkans consij derablv to the cant, of whero thoy havo pre- ■ vitmsly erased it.. They aro now through I tin , U'nn G'ato P.-u-s. and havo reached tho '.'>.■■..•!! "f .inmt'oH- This pass was mon- ■ Mori- y C-'-!'.i;:ol Evelyn Wood in a j I'.'d.ii : : ; v iim on tho passes of tho 'J."iii;;.i'.'i. ,\■:■' he aeonis to havo traced out Uto ■. > ■ ' ■■ .so he Russians havo come, viz., by ■ • ■! n-Bazar to tho Iron Gato Pass, and thei.ee by Slivno to Jamboli. Speaking of this pass ho says it is vory dim'cult, as tho track crosses a number of deop wooded dells with numberless streams running down to Ramchik River. This river also is said to be diflicult of passage. Colonel Chosney in speaking of the same pass, says " it could scarcely be forced, and could only be turned by a narrow footway to tho right," so that it would seem that the Turks might by a resolute stand, oven though inferior in numbers, have effectually closed ; tliic entrance, at any rate, to advancing : :iu 'ians. Suleiman Pnsht, is said to be .■ i ■ iting, and wa should not bo at all : sed to find an early despatcli in.iiiiig us that tho Russians had ! .timed at Adrianoplo. But cvon siipJ [:i;'.:ii' j them to h.we reached that ! i .•, thoro is botwoen thorn and Stam- ■ iiil, .i line of hills from noa to sea, i .'uiwivii the Black Sea and tho Sea of J .Marmora, some 25 miles in length, but bo ■ .-kiVii'U-il, we are told, on the flanks by 'b '• ;i :-.:r.l rivora that the main defence I iU!;'!d be concentrated to tho eight or j nine miles of open country in the contro. •j Uc.'.c, at :my rate, a stand should be made; and we havo it on the authorityyof Sir John Biuggyno th;it, " while moiitlis; of labour would be required to render it. (this position) impregnable, yet immediate benolit would bo obtained from the very first labours." Tho Turks havo, however, so disappointed everybody, that faith in their military prowess is almost entirely gono. It looks liko madness and folly that a nation should spend millions in obtaining Krupp guns, the finest rifles, and in furnishing itself with tho strongest ironclad fleet in tho world, except that of England, and should make no roaistanco to an invading army. One would havo thought that every inch of ground would havo boon contested, and especially that tho passes of tho Balkans would have been strongly fortified. When the Russians advance to Adrianoplo we shall probably hear ol: peace negotiations being commenced—and the terms of such a peace cannot be otherwise than disastrous to Turkey.