WAR NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 384, 17 July 1877, Page 2

WAR NEWS BY THE MAIL.

We glean the following additional war news brought by the San Francisco mail from our exchanges : THK PASSAGK OF THE DANUBE. A well-informed source gives the following re the slow movements on the Danube, under date two days before the steamer left San Francisco :—lt is positively stated that a fortnight or so will expire before the Russians are ready to undertake operations along the line, owing to the imperfect state of preparations. These were found far backward. On the Czar's arrival at Ployesti, he expressed his displeasure. Djspite the obstacles caused by the rains, it was thought more might have been done if it had not been for the want of harmony and co-operation, extending even to those occupying very high positions. The establishment of magtzines close to the Danube and the collection of bridging materials particularly were considered very backward. Czar's arrival fresh energy has been infused into all preparations, but this, at first, was somewhat neutralised by various railways breaking down. Those who do not believe in immediate operations explain the present great movement of troops by the supposition that the Commander-in-Chief has reason to considerably modify his plans, and that, according to the new arrangement, six of the eight army corps are to be concentrated on a comparatively short line between Giurgevo and Isia, on the river Aluta. Both opinions are founded on observations on the spot at O'iurgevo. Steam launches have arrived, of large size, and a train is being collected, while the eighth, eleventh, and twelfth corps are ready to converge on that point on the Aluta behind Turniinaguseh. The ninth corps is in waiting, and the thirteenth is en the march to join it. The fourteenth corps is in Galatz, and will proceed westward, and probably cross about Techernavoda of Kalarach with the fourth corps. Ostentatious demonstrations are being made in the neighbourhood of Brailov, Keni, and Ismail, but are merely feints. The 'J'imcs correspondent with the Turkish army sends particulars of its organisation. The army of the Danube is rather deficient in artillery, and very deficient in cavalry, the only reason being the want of money. The Turkish Government have 400 breech-Ifading cannon lying idle at Constantinople, but they want horses and harness. They have a multitude of well-qualified dragoons, but no money to mount them. The armament of the troops is almost perfect. The infantry have the Martini-Henry rin>.s, and tiie cavalry Winchester rilies. According to the most trustworthy information, the present strength of the army, inclusive of reserves in course of formation on the other side of the Balkans, is 230 battalions of infantry, 72 squadrons of horse, 300 cannon, about 8000 fortress artillery and engineers. Of these, 45 battalions are stationed at Widin, 36 at Rustchuk, 65 at Slmmla, 28 at Varna, and 36 at Silistria. The remaining 30 i battalions are divided between Nicopolis, Sistova, Turtukai, Dobrudscha, and various places more or less important to Bulgaria. Every battalion, on the average, may be assumed to contain 750 men. Contributions from Nish are considered below this. Numerous relief battalions have 400 men. 1 hi total number of infantry is therefore about 172,500, and cavalry, reckoning 100 men to squadron, 7200. Accordingly, the army of the Danube, including fortress, artillery, and engineers, is close on 200,000 strong. As to organisation, there is a want of everythingthatisindispensable in practical unity and system. Until within a few weeks there were no divisions, brigades, regiments, or battalions ; but the army was scattered about often without knowing from whom they had to receive orders. Tae army is virtually directed from Constantinople, where all movements are planned and orders issued by the socalled Council of War, composed of a number of Generals, who are mere puppets in the hands of a few ignorant upstarts. Abdul Kerim Pasha is the mere executor of will of this ?,,dy. He undoubtedly possesses nrihtatry experience and a sharp judicious eye, but is wholly wanting in the energy and power of rapid 1

action. To the natural incapacity of the Commander-in-Chief in this respect must be added the circumstance that lie is seconded by no general staff. The Russians and Turks constructed standing batteries on the opposite shores of the Danube, at Salubom and Isatshki. An immense mass of material which tho Russians are moving towards the Danube can scarcely be lodged in the depots on the river by the Ist July. THE TUKHISH ARMY AT EUSTCHUK. The London Times' Rustchuk correspondent writes as follows : —The 20,000 odd troops at this garrison are the perfection of soldiers. They are brown, open-faced, big-shouldered fellows, perfect 1 y resigned to any fate Allah may have for them, with perfect faith in a bankrupt Government, for whicn they shout salaam every evening at sunset. The disorderly Moslem element is the cause of great fear to Bulgarians and foreigners. Generally, the Christians are frightened to death lest some imprudent members of their faith should provide the spark which should light up such a glare a« would throw Bolak in the shade completely. Even Consuls have to bo careful of their lives. Proofs of the extreme dangerous tension of the relations between Moslem and nonMoslem could be given without end. Mr. Richard Reed, the English and American Consul here, thinks matters as serious as they can be, and his urgent warnings arc ignored both at Downing-street and Constantinople. It is believed by soma hero that the Russian influence in the form of money is artfully planning a dreadful outbreak, and they are no friends to Turkey who do not insist upon a stop being put to irregularities, tho iivm repression of winch would give satisfaction to decent Mahomedans and non-Mussulmans alike. TUIIKI.SU FOKTUESSES. As regards fortresses in European Turkey, incredible results have been accomplished. Widin, Rustchuk, Silistria, Shumla, and Varna, especially the last two, are now quite formidable fortilications—almost entirely consisting of independent works, mostly of earth, but constructed in strict conformity with tho modern principles of armament, and leave nothing to be desired. Very probably the Russians will succeed soon in forcing the river, but it is equally certain, in the facu of the tough, enduring qualities of the Turkish soldiers, that they will only after shedding much blood force the barrier opposed to their onward progress in tho shape of the fortresses of the Danube. DESTRUCTION OF THK TUKKI.SU MONITOK. The New York ITemh.Vs correspondent at Russian quarters at Ploy" " 'describes the destruction of the Tur. ._ Monitor'' on the Danube:—"Four gum i;,inj| I Ihraila on the 25th. About two u u „. /] steaming brought the gunboats where tho Turkish ironclads lay, and without delay, a signal to attack was given. Lieut. Denbasoir ran his gunboat in between the Turkish ironclads, without paying any attention to the heavy lire. Selecting the largest, he ran his gunboat alongside, and succeeded in exploding a torpedo under her side, causing a bad leak, but did not damage her sufficiently to disable her. This partial failure was soon remedied by the gunboat Crossenia, which had closely followed the Czarowitch, and approaching the Turkish Monitor, succeeded in exploding under her a second torpedo. This brilliant action did not occupy more than 20 minutes from the moment of giving signal to attack to withdrawal of the Russian gunboats. During the attacks, the Turks kept up a constant lire on tho assailants, but the aim of the artillerists was so bad that not a single Russian was struck. The effect of the torpedo attack is likely to prove very demoralising to tho Turkish lleet in the Danube, and finally settles the question of the value of the Turkish fleet in preventing the passage of the Danube, and will probably induce the Turkish ironclads to remove from tho dangerous neighbourhood of the Russian gunboats." TUKKI.SU DESIGNS ON TUB RUSSIAN SUII'JSUILDINU DOUKS. The Russian commander of the south coast, Adjutant-General Lemeka, has taken the precaution to defend Odessa against a coup de main by the concentration, at that point, of three brigades of infantry, eight sotouias of Cossacks, six squadrons of light cavalry, and two companies of field gensd'armes. Ocnakolt, lying at the entrance to the Dneiper, is said to l-e the objective point of llobart Pasha's fleet. Great care has been bestowed of late upon this fortress, which, with works at Kinburn, protect the entrance to the bay and mouth of the Dneiper, and consequently Nickolaief, tho chief or only ship-building place since the destruction of the docks at Sebastopol. The whole enceinte of tin; place has been rebuilt, and detached outworks have been erected. The place has been armed with 220 guns, among them being GO twentyfour pounders and 42 mortars. The garrison consists <jf GSOO infantry, and numerous artillery. The approaoh to tho water of Chakoif has also been barred by torpedoes. For some days past Turkish vessels have been cruising there, seemingly also with troops on board.