RUSSIAN MEETS TURK.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 332, 22 June 1878, Page 2

RUSSIAN MEETS TURK.

In former articles we have given a sketch of the belligerent powers, from which it will be seen that in numbers, resources, and even in civilization, Eussia has a vast advantage. Yet she had the vast disadvantage of being the invader, and of having, in consequence, to keep open a long line of communication.' She could not bring nearly all their power into the field at first ; her best commanders were in neglected obscurity, and a host of worthless Court favourites, who could flatter and fawn, filled the places of honour and responsibility. Had the Turks been organized, and led by an energetic patriot,

who was above jealousy, and beyond the power, of .'envy, who did not owe his appointment to the fading favourite of the harem, and who might not be recalled at the desire of her rising rival, Russia would have found a “foemah worthy of her steel.” But, if is again in the way,' for, bad as the Russians were,'the Turks were worse. They commanded the sea and the Danube. The high bank of the river was on their side, and it was, in all conscience, the place to make a stand, and inflict tremonduous losses on the invader. If, after months of-fighting, ■ they should be obliged to retire, there was a second line of defence, at least equal to the first—the Balkan Mountain, with only a few narrow passes, each capable of being a Thennopyle, where a few could defy a host. These advantages were ignored, “ While all the world wondered.” Russian commanders were saying bravely that they were prepared to lose 30,000 men in crossing the Danube. The Turks were kinder to Russian soldiers than Russian officers were. They spared the 30,000. These showed their gratitude, by marching up the Balkans, and saving the Turks the trouble of holding the passes.

Suddenly the Russian laurels were turned to willows. Suddenly the world thought it had been deceived and the Russians caught in a trap. It seemed for a moment that what had appeared wretched incompetence and bungling was a bold and premeditated scheme that had a chance of success. True, the scheme was a great tactical error, but success Avould cover a multitude of sins. But soon it appeared that there was no scheme and would be no success. Plevna was only an accident, only a lucky part of the infinite bungle. After his great success, critics say, Osman Pasha should have retreated, as there was little chance of his being relieved and none of his holding out alone. But the Turks seemed fated to bungle. They let the enemy cross the river and then hope to drive hilh back. They let him occupy the passes and then wreck an army to dislodge him. They neglected their natural strongholds and try to make others of earth. They win a battle and then wait till the enemy is able to avenge his defeat.

'When Plevna fell, there was little to do except advance. The passes had been faithfully held, and the legions of the Czar were soon in full march for Constantinople. By this time the Turks were thoroughly demoralized, and made no attempt to hold the approaches of Constantinople, where a good stand might still have been made by spirited troops. This advantage the Russians used well. They were determined to have the city at their mercy. They delayed negotiations, mis-sent messages, took time to consider, and spun out the preliminaries of peace, to gain time to advance. They were everywhere victorious, and their demands were in proportion to their success ; but as the threatening attitude of England seems to have inclined them to submit all the terms of peace to tiio conference of Great Powers, we will not try to forestall its decisions. But that most of the victor’s terras will be agreed to, and Russian interests strengthened, there can be no doubt.

We began this article with the intention of saying something about the officers and men on both sides, so we will say a few words here. By far the most readable production on this subject, is from the pen of Mr Archibald Forbes. It would be quite a treat to quote a few columns in extenso from bis pleasant pages, were there not reasons of State against it; we will condense them into a few lines instead—“ The Eussian officer has so many charming qualities that it is ungracious to speak of qualities of another sort. He is a delightful comrade, with inexhaustible good humour ; he bears hardships with a light heart ; he is humane; he never decries an enemy ; he has splendid valour; he is no braggart; he does Ins fighting as a matter of course; and as part of his day’s work. The Enssian private is an extraordinary weight-carrying marcher; ho never grumbles, he has a good stomach for immediate fighting after the longest foodless march ; he is heartily devoted to his Czar, and according to his narrow lights, is sincerely pious ; but he must have someone to think for him.”

Mr Forbes’ testimony amounts to this— The officers are jolly good fellows and the privates are brave as lions and stupid as asses. It is, however, his unpleasant duty to “ hold the mirror up ” to other qualities in tho Russians which account for their not obtaining success proportioned to their intrinsic excellence as fighters. In tho first place, promotion goes by favor and not by merit, and “ favoritism as inevitably begets intrigue as rottenness engenders maggots.” In the second place, there is a want of the sense of responsibility all down the roll; everyone looks to some one else. This is, probably, one of the results of absolute monarchy. In the third place, corruption reaches from the highest to the lowest. To be venal is not a crime, it is not even a thing to be ashamed of. A Vienna contractor wants to supply tho array with boots. To send a tender is useless. He must be introduced. The right man will introduce him for a consideration. He shows his samples at six roubles a pair. The offer is accepted, but he is instructed to invoice them at seven roubles a pair, though he will only be paid sis. Where the seventh rouble goes is pretty clear. This is an example out of fifty. But these little things are virtues compared with some qualities of the enemy. That the Turk is brave, none will deny. He sits smoking in a trench, while a comrade uses the pick. A shot scatters the brains of the worker about. The smoker lays aside bis pipe, and muttering “ Allah is Great!” takes the tool from the hand of him who has gone to dance with the Houris, and works on as if nothing bad happened. But if the Turk is brave, he is not chivalrous. He might, in all good faith, have warned the Eussians thus—“ We are barbarians, and as barbarians we fight. Our religion enjoins the ruthless slaughter of the infidel, and we obey. We will neither ask nor give quarter. We will torture, chop, hack, and mutilate your wounded. We will encumber ourselves with no prisoners. We will respect no such finicalities as flags ox truce. Our war cry will be death to the Giaour. Now we don’t want to fight, but if you do, come on, and see how you’ll like it.”

PATEA WEST ROAD BOARD. A meeting of the above Board was held at the Kakaramea Town Hall, on Monday, 17th instant Present: Messrs R. E. Mcßae, J. Paterson (Carlyle), R. B. .Hamilton, J. Paterson (Kakaramea), W. Napier, and G. A. Marchaut. Proposed by Mr M archant, seconded by Mr J. Paterson (Carlyle), and carried unanimously ‘’That Mr 11. E. Mcßae be elected Chairman of the Board,” Proposed by Mr Marchant, seconded by Mr Paterson (Carlyle), and carried, “ That the Chairman have a deliberative and casting vote.” Proposed by Mr Marchant, seconded by Mr Paterson (Kakaramea) and carried, “ That the Secret ary inquire the price of a map of the Patea West Road Board District, and report at next meeting.” Proposed by Mr Marchant, seconded by Mr J. Paterson' (Carlyle), and carried, •‘That Messrs J. Paterson (Kakaramea) Mcßae, and the mover, be a committee to employ labor for clearing dray track on Ilursthouse Road, in front of Mr T. Allen’s property.” Proposed by Mr Marchant, seconded by Mr Paterson (Kakaramea), and carried, “ That the Secretary write to Messrs Fraser and Tregcar, desiring them to see that Mr Pearce completes in a satisfactory manner the filling np to peg 0, referred to in their letter of the 4th instant, and inform them that the Board will be happy to have an interview with them at the next meeting of the Board.” Resolved, “ That/the consideration of. the report of Committees re Ball and Kakaramea Roads; be held over till the Engineers have had an interview with Board.” P*’*' Proposed by Mr Marchant, seconded by Mr Napier, and carried, “ That it be competent for any two Commissioners to expend not more than £3 upon any road where such expenditure may be urgently required.” Resolved, “That Mr Guthrie’s application for road works, stand over till the estimates are prepared.” Proposed by Mr Paterson (Kakaramea) seconded by Mr R. B. Hamilton, and carried by 4 to 2 votes, “That the place of meeting for the Board be the Kakaramea Town Hall, hour of meeting 2 o’clock on the second Monday in each month.” Proposed by Mr Hamilton, seconded by Mr Napier, and carried, “That Mr W. Dale be appointed Secretary to the Board, at a salary of £3O per annum.” Resolved, “ That all cheques be signed commissioners, and countersigned by the Secretary.” Resolved, “That the Secretary be authorized to pay contractors on completion of contracts, on receiving a certificate signed by the Engineers or Commissioners who pass the work.” The meeting then adjourned.