No. 332.
Mr. Maynard to Mr. Evarts.
Constantinople, July 31, 1877. (Received September 10.)
Sir: During the month just closing the Turco-Russian war has developed much more activity and energy on the part of both combatants than had previously been displayed.
In Asia the Turks, after accumulating a very large force, took the offensive, and attacking the Russians in detail, have driven them quite across the border. So that the campaign in the east, on the part of Russia, appears at this moment to be a complete failure, with Soukoum-Kaleh still in the possession of the Turks.
On the other hand, in Europe fortune has been with the Russians. When the swollen Danube had so far subsided as to admit of crossing, they entered the Dobrudja near Hirsova, and took possession of the region between the Danube and the Black Sea as far as Kustendje (Constantia). At the same time another, and it is understood a superior body, crossed further up at Sistova. No serious opposition, certainly no effective opposition on the part of the Turks, appears to have been made to these movements. The Russians next attacked and carried Nikopolis, a strong post on the Danube a few miles above Sistova. This gave them command of a portion of the river sufficiently extensive for an unobstructed passage, and a numerous army came over. With no [Page 602] data at command, and no authority to rely upon but rumor, I shall make no attempt to give numbers.
Having thus secured a safe and easy passage over the Danube, they moved forward to Tirnova, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, and carried it with but little resistance. Pushing southward, they crossed the Balkans by a pass which is said to have been overlooked by the Turks, and left with little or no defense, and by the middle of July had established themselves at Kesanlyk, a town on this side of the mountains, Continuing their progress, they took possession, on the 22d of July, of Eski-Sagra, a city containing by estimation from 20,000 to 25,000 inhabitants, of whom one-third were Turks, and the rest Christians, Jews, and other non-Mussulmans. From this city, as a base, detachments moved upon several points in the vicinity, one of them, a smalt troop of cavalry, reaching the railroad just the other side of Adrianople, and destroying a station and several yards of track.
Beyond the Balkans, the Russian right, resting upon Plevna, was attacked by Osman Pasha from Widdin. After a serious conflict, the Turks remained masters of the place, losing heavily, indeed, but inflicting a much heavier loss upon the Russians.
This, so far as we have intelligence deemed trustworthy, is the attitude of the two armies at present. There are rumors many and exciting, most, if not all, of which will very likely turn out to be unfounded.
These rumors, however, work great uneasiness in the city, so great as to endanger the public safety by creating a panic, which would itself produce the very evils so much dreaded.
This feeling of alarm seems to possess all classes, but especially those best informed and those usually the coolest and most reflecting. While I confess I do not share the general apprehension, I have taken action to some extent as though I believed it well founded. The Americans, as in all emergencies, look to the legation. I have consulted with our naval commanders now in the Bosporus, and such arrangements have been made that our two ships, the Marion and the Despatch, will be able, in case of a disturbance, to receive every American and retire beyond reach of danger, thus relieving our countrymen in a good degree from the distressing anxiety which afflicts the general community.
Among the Turks there is, moreover, a deep sense of shame and indignation. They are naturally a warlike people, and all their traditions are of conquest. Though regarded and treated by the rest of the world as moribund, they do not so consider themselves. Very far from it. Their present humiliation is attributed by them to incompetency or treachery, probably both. The seraskier (minister of war), Ridif Pasha, and the serdar ekrem (generalissimo), Abdul-Kerim Pasha, are in the popular estimation held responsible for all miscarriages, and especially for allowing the enemy to cross the Balkans and to approach within a few hours of the capital. They have both been suspended and held to answer before the council of ministers. Their trial by court-martial and condign punishment are publicly demanded.
The genius of the Ottoman Government at this time is his highness Mahmoud Damad Pasha, brother-in-law of the Sultan, as Damad signifies. His wife is described as naturally a superior woman, and is the favorite sister of the Sultan, with whom her influence is said to be very great. This, at the Sublime Porte, where palace intrigues are carried on largely in the harem, gives him a secure position at court. He has been during the present reign the grand master of artillery, and since the fall of Ridif Pasha, the caimacam or undersecretary of war, really the power behind the throne. He is, I should judge, about forty years [Page 603] old, evidently of great force of character, and of marvelous industry. His future will largely depend, I imagine, upon the results of the present war. So far, there has certainly been great vigor in the seraskierate. Enlistments have been very rapid, and the recruits have been equipped and sent forward with but little delay.
The transports and railroads are unceasingly active, and yet there is no appearance of hurry or want of preparation. While receiving large consignments of arms and ammunition from abroad—the greater part from the United States—they have established manufactories of their own, capable of furnishing their armies were the foreign supply is cut off.
Those who hold the strength of armies to lie in the military-chest predicted an early collapse for the Turkish cause. The Porte has been practically bankrupt nearly two years. (See my dispatch No. 36, dated November 15, 1875.) She has ceased to pay her debts, and her soldiers and officials as well. I am not sure that this is not a source of strength rather than weakness.
None of these classes expect her to pay, and her resources are left to procure the necessary war material not obtainable on credit. I am assured that all American purchases are paid for before shipment.
From the first I have failed to share the opinion that the war would be brief, and, on the part of the Russians, decisive. I see no reason to change; on the contrary, appearances indicate an inconclusive campaign.
I have, &c.,