No. 329.
Mr. Maynard to Mr. Evarts.
Constantinople , July 3, 1877. (Received August 27.)
Sir: Another month of the Turco-Russian war has passed without results and with no important actions.
In Asia the Turks have undoubtedly held their own. Although the [Page 600] Russian armies have crossed the frontier and have made formidable demonstrations, they do not appear to have gained any advantages. True, the Turks have gained no victories in battle, but as the campaign on their part is entirely defensive, the failure of their enemies to advance is for them a continuing victory.
In Europe the Danube still separates the combatants. The unusual spring-tides have made it impossible for either army to cross—an undoubted advantage to the Russians, since it has left them unmolested to bring in their trains to the river and to make efficient preparations for crossing when the waters shall subside. There has been a good deal of cannonading from the two banks, but apparently without military results, though attended with destruction of private property and much inconvenience to the non-combatant population. The United States consular agent at Rustchuk, who is also Her British Majesty’s consul, reports the bombardment of that town by the Russian batteries near Giurgevo on the opposite shore. Though he had both the American and the British flags displayed, his consulate was shattered, and the archives thrown into confusion, and his own life was saved by flight. The town itself was nearly destroyed, though the military works were scarcely touched. Great barbarities are charged by each side upon the other, chiefly for moral effect abroad. Many instances which have been brought to my notice seem, from my experience during four unhappy years in our own country, to be incidental to a state of war, rather than the habitual cruelties of a savage people.
In Montenegro the Turks have maintained their large and well-appointed armies, in numbers exceeding all the fighting population of that diminutive province. Their generals report complete success. They have undoubtedly revictualed the strong fort of Niksitch, but they do not appear to have penetrated far into the territories of the wild mountaineers. Nor do I perceive that the letter have capitulated or laid down their arms, or even ceased to fight.
The next two months may be expected to witness greater activity and more decisive results.
Some of our countrymen have shown a ‘.disposition to enlist in the war. Such a disposition cannot be too strongly discountenanced.
I have, &c.,