Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4943, 25 January 1877, Page 2

“ Atlas,” writing with an air of some authority in the World, tells what the action of England will be in case of Russia’s success in a war against Turkey, and the occupation of the latter by the former. He says, writing on the 22nd November “I suppose that three out of every four people in the country believe war on Russia’s part against Turkey to be'inevitable. Tam noticing to commit myself in the matter ; but -I happen to know that the belief in Question is'’ not-participated in at ithe "Intelligence Departmenthead-quartersin Adair House, where, by , the' way, much more is known i. in a quiet undemonstrative , fashion than f is\at all generally given credit. fdr.‘ But if y the trouble comes, it ,is comforting to that our military authorities kilow exactly what they are going to do; are determirted to do a certain thing and no mare, under what temptation or solicitation whatever; ’and are ready for the not very herculean undertaking they have pirescribed for British arms—the holding of the lines of Constantinople against all comers in trust for Europe. Lord Napier of Magdalai, it has been quite settled for some time, mll command the army corps in the event of its services being required.' The appointment, apart from all other considerations, has an., especial fitness, in view of the role prescribed,’from the circumstance that Lord Napier is an Engineer officer, ; The gallant old soldier holds strong opinions with regard to the physical qualifications requisite, in a thoroughly efficient commander of an army on active service i in, the field; among the indispensable attributes being that he should be able to; ride twelve hours a day for any number of days. Men who saw Lord Napier in the saddle at Delhi last year for two hours after he had broken his collar-bone will scarcely share the stalwart veteran’s modest self estimate, that he is physically no longer capable of enduring the fatigues of an active command in the field. This, however, was what he said and stuck to when the matter was under:discussion before he.sailed for Gibraltar, But he had no difficulty in accepting the provisional command of a British army corps destined to cover Constantinople, when its attitude ;of the strict defensive 1 in am intrenched position was explained to him. Sir Garnet Wolseley is tbld •off-to command -one of-the-divisions of- the corps; and l understand, although: this appointment is ‘not. yet; quite settled, that Sir Daniel Lysons will have the other.” : :