THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 97, 26 April 1877, Page 4

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE ON CONSTANTINOPLE. A gentleman who has personally visited a large portion of the country 'which will be theatre of war between the armies of Russia and Turkey, sends the Auckland Herald the following respecting the Rusaian army, and the routes by which it must advance on Gonstantinope :— "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 War in the East,' printed in large letters, met their gaze, and now the old familiar title will again attract oar attention, causing us to scan most eagerly 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 qui 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 au courant 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 have beoome so numerous that it is impossible for him to reply to them; but that on the declaration of war, 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 Turkey and Russia naturally .causes, will be added the exciting faot 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, bat if large, there can be no doubt that it will make its influence felt both in the Government and in the country, and may be one of the oauses of war between England and Rußßia. "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 60,000 men. 120,000 Russians are already on the march to the Pruth, The march to the Pruth means that they are transported by raii to Jaasy, and from thence they will go to Bucharest, occupying those fortified positions on (he Danube which are touched by rai!, viz., Galatz, Brailow, andGiurgevo. Again, from Bucharest they will pass through Gajova to Khalafat, the tete de pont of Widdin. . " The Danube may be crossed at Oltßnitza, or rather Turtokaij at aa island very near Silistria, again at Hirsova, but Saturnova and Tuldscha, situated in the Delia, are the preferable points. At Tuldscha there is a bar acrots the river, with barely fourteen feet of water on it. To bring the 130,000 men assembled at Kiachenev to the bankaof the Danube will take eight days. What the plane of the Russians may be for crossing the Danube it is impossible to know; but if they follow the plansof Colonels Berg and Rudiger, which were bo successfully adopted by Marshal Wittgenstein in 1828, namely, to make the fall of Varna, Siiiatria, and Schumla 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 Rachoaa 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, Tiroavo, Schumla, Privada and Varna. In 1828-29 the Russians had the command of the Black Sea, disembarking some 6000 to 10,000 men at Bugas, a small town south of the Balkan ranges, thereby taking the Turks in rear, and facilitating the chosen route. The western route, via the valley of the Timok, will enable the Russians to strike the railroad at Sophia; but their further advance will be much impeded by the strong natural position at Philippopoli. I propose in my next letter to show what means of defence the Turks will probably employ to prevent the passing of the Denube, and their capabilities of withstanding the Russians in Asia Minor."