HOBART PASHA ON THE RUSSIAN NAVY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 28, 1 February 1878, Page 4

HOBART PASHA ON THE RUSSIAN NAVY.

Hobart Pasha annoyed by misstatements reepecting the results of Russian attacks on the Turkish fleet recently addressed the following letter to the Times: — "I have read with iha greateat astonishment ia the Times of the 7th October, under the heading • Utilising the Eclipse,' an order of the day issued by Admiral Aikas, the Com» mander-in-Chief of- the Black Sea Fleet (to use ihe Admirals own word's) with ' peculiar joy,' relating to on attack made on a Turkish ironclad by Russian torpedo boats off Soukoum Kale ; and although my time is much occupied at this critical moment, I cannot refrain from making a few remarks ( on this extraordinary document. Sir, the ironclad referred to as having, to use the words of the Russian officer, ' foundered ami<3 cheers, hurrahs, and thanks to the Almighty,' is at this moment lying quietly in the Bosphorus without a mark or scratch upon her sides, or the slighest injury having been done to her ; and the glorious action of the Russian torpedo boats has ended, as four similar attacks on the Turkish Fleet in the Black Sea since the war begun have done, in smoke. Other glorious deeds of burning defenceless merchant vessels, taking the private effects from, and leaving their unfortunale crews in boats in the open eea, to find their way to the nearest port as best thby could — referred to in the same order of the day — need no comment. It seems to me deplorable that officers of high rank should put their names to such documents. I do not for a moment doubt the pluck or admirable spirit of enterprise that the Russian naval officers have in them, but surely they might win real fame in their actions before they make such a fuss. Why don't they send out their, celebrated Popofkas ? The Turkish ships of war are cruisiug in squadrons of twos and threes, and the Turkish navy is also burning to distinguish itself; but while the Rnssian ironclads lie behind forts mounting hundreds of 35---ton guns, with the approaches defended by countless torpedoes for a distance of four miles from the shore, there is little chance of their doing so. As to the torpedo attacks in the Black Sea, they have all been wretched failures; not from want of pluck in their commanders, but simply because they are practically useless. (I speak professionally.) All required is a real good look-out to be kepf, and the torpedo boats are harmless. The ooe small gun-boat destroyed by five torpedoes in the Danube was caused by the negligence and inneffieieucy of its commander. Russian naval officers kuovv well what I say is true. Why, then, all this childish swagger ? I have the honor to remain your obedient servant, Hobart Pasha. Flagship Athar Jeefik, Sulina, September I9ih. P.S. — I take it that the undeniable fact of the Turks holding undisputed command of the Black Sea is a bitter pill to swallow.