The New York Herald Newspaper, May 26, 1877, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1877—TRIPLE SHEET. _- TURKEY IN EUROPE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. _ Map Showing the Danube Valley and the Several Turkish Strongholds Threatened by the Russian Armies, the Railroad Lines and the Positions of Servia and Montenegro. ae rag THE RUSSIAN. GAME. —--<- Notes. from the Headquarters at Kischeneff. NARROW ESCAPE OF THE GRAND DUKE Official! Status of War Corresnondents with the Russian Army. Objective Point of the Asiatic ; Campaign. t Kiscnexgrr, May &, 1877. Chere is. most important question which I desire BP @ieours m this lettor, a question closely associated With Me present war betwoen Rusala and Turkey, and decause .he time has.come when asolation of it is absolutely necessary. I refer to the request of the newspaper correspondents to be permitied to follow the Russian armies.and have an entrée In their camps. This matter, of course, is of direct interest to tho readers of nowspupers, or, more properly writing, to the entire world, for tho correspondont 18 the real rep- Fesentative of the public, an ambasfador who goos forth to deal with salient facts, and it might bo anid in passing, without any specially flattering allusions to ourselves, that if all ambassadors performed their duties as conscientiously as tho journalist the general condition of affairs in the world would be vastiy im- proved, TNR RUSSIANS AND TUR PRESS, On principle it seems to have been decided that no outsiders should follow the armies, and journalists were to be excluded because they wore considered tac- bious and indiscrcet in dealing with passing events, This was wncerstood to ve irrevocable, and there seemed to bea goneral acquiesence tn the decision, when suddenly England ctganized a little bareau for the forwarding of letters and despatches; and #0 well was it organized that the least event was made known to the world almost as soon ag it had tranepired, To show how rapidly this bureau acted it need only be paid that It has aiready reported victories by Turks which thoy have not yet won, Without the aid of this barenu these would probably never have been heard of. This very practical mode of procedure on the part of the English ratner tosk the Chiet ot Btat of the Grand Duke Nicholas by sur- prise, and he began to reason thas:—«if every timo that a Turkish corporal aces a Cossack in the distance England undertakes to inan- date the two homispnercs with despatches stating that the Russian army has been pat to route by force of bearing it ropeated tho world at Inst will come to be- Weve sttruo if there is no one to contradict it. Now who can contradict it by simply tolling the truth? The impartial correspoudeat,"’ Thos it came to be recognized that a journalist baa his good sido, and that it might be weil to admit him to the armies of tie Czar, This decision was arrived d a LG atin a goneral council held by the Commander-in- Chief while the Czar was still at Kische. neff, There were gresent His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Constantine and his sop Generals Nepoxoitchinski and Levitzki and his firat and second chiefs of staff—Prince Tcherkoski, Chiof of Civil Service; Colonel Hasenkampf and General Ig- natief, it was the lafier who pleaded tho cause of the correspondents with the greatest warmth, and finally won the victory, But even after the idea was adopted another difficulty arose, namely—the putting into practice, which, in view of the habits ef the coun try, was not so easy. In Russia, a3 is well known, nothing is printed with. out the approval of the official censor, who approves or forbids the publication. There wag naturally some Intention to subject the foreiga correspon. dents to this system. This proposition, how- ever, could not be maintained for a moment, Ik was seon that the correspondents would offer an energetic opposition or would evade tho rule, From another point of view under existing conditions persous passing for correspondents, and who, perhaps, do write for journals, which accept their letters at a very iow price, circulate without being attached to any important nows. paper. Among these workers there conid easily glide another class of individuals, who ata given mo- mont would bo likely to send their iniormation toany other address but to § newspaper, and 80 compro. mise seriously the success of important military operations. It was after weighing these aud other reasons that the following resolution was taken by the Grand Duke:—Correspondents of great newspapers duly presented by a guarantor, who will go security for them, will be duly authorized to accompany the army, and will be offered every facility, That is to say, they will bo permitted to move about frcely every- where and will be furnished with all facilities for transportation, and an offichr will be appointed to fur. nisn them all the information they desire, CRIPPLED CORRESPONDENTS, This oMlcer was immediately appointed, the choice falling on Colonel Hasenkampf, and permission was ut once granted to two correspondents, one French and whe other American, Word wae imme. diately sent to them, and the following day they presented themselves to tho Colonel, who was surprised at seeing them, as the reader can weil understand, 1 must eay that those two priviloged persons have the reputation— though modesty forbids moto say 11 it be merited—of boing tho greatest reporters tn the world. Now at this motient both were suffering from sora feot, Oue had corns, and the other had been burt by a tail from hie horse, so that they arrived hobbiing along on their crutches as vest they could. Imagine the surprise of Colonel Husenkampf, who expected to meet two mon full of energy and uctivity, whon two lame men presented thomselves! When these two crippics had taken seats, the Colovel, who is a charming man, stated that all that was asked of them was not to speak about tne movements of the Russian troops while they were being carried omt— which is only just—nnd to have gent to the staff copies of the journals they represent in order that their let. ters might bo atilized in the book which is to be written about tho war, and also, porhaps— though this was not hinted—to see that they are not too severe, ‘This being understood, the Colonel font the two journalists to the photographer's, becuse there remained ono formality to be tul- filled—namely, the issue of the safo conduct And to proveut errors as well as to prevent spies trom killing the correspondents in ordor to get possession of their passports, it las beon decided that the sate PLAN OF SILISTRIA AND ITS DEFENCES. Se e, , Sinstria ts justly regarded by the Turks as one of the most important defensive, positions held by them on the Danube, Immediately in front of the town on the Roumanian sido of the river the country is low and marshy and intersected only by roads that can be easily blocked If the works ure supported vy gunboats on the river, The village of Kattarasch can also be selzed and con verted into © strong fMte-de-pont, within easy and well coveted distance from the river. Even monitors could be sent ap the Bortsh to aid in the defence of Kattaraseh, The numerous isiands in the Danubo below Silistria, however, afford cousidorable facilities for bridging to an army that bas gained the northern bank and ie not interrupted by gunboats A placo of crossing can 0 selected below the town and out of range of tte guns; but the success of the operation would depend on the season and the rivor levels, It is evident from the plan of the defences, accurately given ou the above map, that Silistria fears | danger from the eastand south. From the east, because of the facilities for crossing the river on that sido and from tho south because the place is dominated by the bills toward Rasgrad and Schumala, where an in- cond all be written on the back of a photograph, which will be stamped with the Commander-in- Chiet’s seal. To this new Kind of passport will be joined somo outward mark or sign which hag nob yet boon decided upon, At Orst o uni- & vesting force could establish itself, while another part of the Invading army coultt operate from the river sides, The outlying forts are constructed chiefly of earth. work and form a semicircle of defence around the iain wail at about five hundrod yards distance therefrom, As the main wall and the works of the citadg), which ig next wo the river front, would goon suc- cumb to modern rif artillery, tha ae. fence of the town depends wholly on these outly forts, The principal works are Forts Medschid and Arabtabin, The latter work ig connected with Fort Gilanti, by a line of strong intronchments, which are constructed along the crest of a bill and face toward the east, Fort Arabtabia flanks yhis line and is supported in turn by Fort Ordu, which also supports Fort Medsehid, ‘Whe western defences of the town are of a mivor ordor, the enginecrs deeming the eastern lines more importunt, Besides, the width of the Danube above Silietrin is such as to preclude the possibility of bridging it m the face of a tew batteries of artillery on tho Turkish side, It i# prova- ble that the Russians will Approach Silistria frou the westward, on tho Bulgarian sido of the river, but the rks will eroct additional defences and make a long and stubborn resistance, form was spoken of—for the Russians have a craze for uniforms——but it is almost certain that an armlot, marked with an imperial cagle and whieh can bo seen at 8 good distance, will be adopted, In this way all the precautions have been taken. The soldiers will be able to recog- nize by the armiet those who will havo a right to pass, and officers wit! be able, by meana of the photograph, to examine the ideatity of the wearer. The correspondents wijl vote what they seo and Colorei Hasenkamp( will keep them informed of what they might guess at. So that after wishing to have nothing to do with nowspaper correspondents at arst Russia has ended dy doing what was never done before in any war by con- ferring on correspondents what may bo regarded as official rank, However these wise procautions have produced considerable discontent. Those an- looked for advantages have had tho result of begetting numberless demands for appointment, which in very fow cuses have been successtul, At this mo- ment only seven in all have received the desired authorization, which has already caused a chorus of complaints; but what will it be when the staff arrive at Bucharest, where a whole battalion of correspondents await its arri EVENTS MARCH SLOWLY, And since I bave written the word ‘wait’! I may ag well assure you that waiting plays a great part in this campaign, The plan of action is altogether diferent from that of ihe Germans tn tho last war, fverything was dono by them with celerity, They pushed ahead at any cost, But the Danube allows both parties in the present struggle to operate at their ease, The Rossians tako up positions at the most advantageous polnts on the left bank, while the Turks fortify the right if any sign of life is manifested anid these military mathematics it is by the gunboats that glide about the river; but boy will not long continue their prom. enading, for the battories on the banks and the tor- pedoes under the water will soon keep them quiet. However, the other day, 1 am told, au officer of the staff, named Koller, taking advantage of the darknoss, crossed over the Danube, flo was accompanied only by four Cossacks, and was able to penetrate far enough Into the Turkish lines to got at the selograph which hocut, This adventure, more heroic than use. ful, will not fail to call attention to this valiant officer, THE RUSSIAN PoLICT. If, bowover, evouts are marching slowly in Europe the same eannot be said of Asin, where the in vaders are advancing by forced marches toward Trebizonde, which is tho objective point, On this sabject I must toll you « rumor which ts graduatly taking shape, und which L will endeavor to translate for you as well asloan. The European campaign will beonly ashow, Its aim ts merely to keep the Turks on this sido of the Bos phorae and permit Russia to bave an army | ready to meet any complications (that may arise in the West, During this Ume Trebizond, which is the key to the commerce of the entire Hast, will be soized, What gives weight to those allegations 18 tho profound preoceupation shown by Russian statesmen in view of the armed demonstration which Bngiand is preparing to make in kgypt. Aud especially the in. voluntary cagerness which General Ignatief shows tn talking avout Asia, Tho ancient Ambassador to Con stantinople is evidently the soul of what Is going on, and it may perbaps be justly considerod as his personal work. Whether these suppositions are true of false, too much importance must not be given to thom, because in war unexpected events—chance, 80 10 6 direct afairs nore tian men. Ip al! case we should keep oar readers informed on what is pass- ing. I havo already said that waiting seemed to be the order of the day, Vhose who best obey it are the These birds of prey de pot wait like tad vulteres, whe only appear after tho battle to feea on the en 8; they are here whotting their appetite detorehand, as you will sea A large contract was to be mado, A telegram was sent toa dig contractor, The Jews knew of the affair, because they toafin the telegraph offices, a¢ qeil as in the Post UMco and everywhere cise Thoy bad read over tho shoul- der of the clerk and learned the conditions proposed. When the contractor arrived the contract had deen given, for the Jews had taken it at a few copecks lower than the contractor's offer, They also watch the soliiers, for whom silver and géld roubles have been specially provided. Fach inan Has received eight roubles, and, little accustomed \ handle anything but paper money, the soldier does not know the real value of bis email fortune, which the Jews succeed Im extracting from nim at about half its ralue. All this t@ done with an accompaniment of kicks, which the Jew takes very philosophically on the one hand while ue Olis ois pockets on the other, When the bargain is concladed the kicks are seen no more, but tne sliver roubles res main, THN PIRST SNOT, Last Saterday His Imperial Highness the Grand Dake moved his quarters for the Orst time. Nowe came that tho Turks mad appeared before Braila with fvo gunboats, This domonatra- tion was, properly speaking, the beginning of hostilities, Fifteen sholls fell ta the town with- out doing more damage than wounding unfortunate Roumanian, who fs not yet dead, but who might as well be, Tho field batteries replied. A smokestack and a rudder of two gunboats were carried away, and two Turks fell victim in (his demonstration, They are with the Roumanian the only victims so far on, the Danube The offensive was undertaken at the same time at Ibrail, Reni and Galatz, It was to the first of these towns that the Grand Duke burried No reviewed the troops, chatting witn the soldiers, who aro very much attached to him, On their side the Turks paid him their respects, ‘This time it was no longer gunboats which fired, but mouttors, Two shots were very well directed, They were eight-inch shells, but neither of them exploded, One of these fell within a few yards of the Grand Duke. The Russian batteries not having received their heavy guns did not reply. How. ever some Chorkesses, or if you prefor |t Bashi Bazouks, who trom adjacent heights were watching the stad, discharged thoir rifles, and notwithstanding the great distance the whistling of the balls coud be heard unpleasantiy close. Proceedings stopped there The Grand Duke returned to Kis cheneff yosterday evening No news bas beeg received about the operations in the Caucas The doparture of the stafl Is now fixed for the 22d. Heads quarters will be established north of Bucharest, at Pioesci. FIRE ON CANAL STRBET, Shortly after sight o'clock last night a fire broke out on the thitd floor of the four story brick building No, poly al street, owned by Jonn Morton, The engines were soon on the spot, bat the flames gained consider able headway before boing extinguished. Tho losses aro a# follows:—Third floor, occupied by Kresser & Co, dealers in fancy goods, $8,000; second floor, Chartes Carpenter, hoop skirts, $500; first floor, Leggo & Denholm, furnishing goods, $500, The fourth floor, whieh was occupied by C. & H. Suffrian, woollen goods, was slightly damaged by water and smoke. Tho build. ing was damaged to the extent of about $1,000, Mew Jows, hore very numerous and still on tho increase J she Gro originated ls wakaowa