No. 334.
Mr. Maynard to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, August 31, 1877.
(Received September 29.)
No. 181.]
Sir: Another month of the Turco-Russian war has
passed, and although there have been no very important engagements,
certainly no decisive battles, the situation appears very different.
In Asia the Russians seem to have done absolutely nothing. The Turks
report an inconsiderable success near the frontier, Soukoum-Kaleh. Their
conquest on the coast of Cireassia they have abandoned, bringing away
with them the population in numbers variously stated from 50,000 to
little more than one-tenth as many, and settling them in Armenia. I
inclose a description of this deportation published in the city, and not
called in question.
The operations in Europe have been more active and significant. In a
previous dispatch, No. 173, dated July 31, 1877, I mentioned the
occupation, on the 22d of July, by the Russians, of Eski-Sagra, a
considerable town south of the Balkans, and movements thence as far as
the railroad near Adrianople. In Eski-Sagra, it seems they organized a
provisional government, selecting the officials from the Bulgarian
residents, their own troops remaining outside the city. This went on for
nine days, when they were attacked by the Turks under Raouf Pasha, but
without success. At this juncture another factor was interposed. For
several months Suleiman Pasha had been operating in Montenegro with a
large and effective army; exactly what were the results beyond the
revictualing of Niksitch, I am not prepared to say. It was decided to
recall him and throw his forces south of the Balkans in front of the
advancing Russians. This movement was executed with so much skill as to
deserve mention. At Antivari, oil the northern coast of Albania, was
collected, under the protection of an iron-clad frigate, a fleet of
eighteen transports, all either Turkish or Egyptian, except three or
four Austrian. Embarking the whole army, 27,000 in number, with 20
pieces of artillery, 3,000 horses and equipage, in five days they landed
[Page 605]
all safely at Enos, a port
on the gulf of Saros, connected with Adrianople by railroad. In four
days more, nine days from Antivari, they came to the support of Baouf
Pasha at Eski-Sagra. Such generalship was an evident surprise to the
Russians, who were driven from Eski-Sagra through Kesanlyk into the
Shipka Pass of the Balkans, from which the Turks have not as yet been
able to dislodge them, though making strenuous efforts to do so. This,
it will be observed, occurred at the beginning of the month, and ever
since the Shipka Pass has apparently been the key to the campaign, the
theory being that unless the Russians can hold it they must retire
beyond the Danube; and unless the Turks can take it they must withdraw
to this side the Balkans. Beyond the Balkans the Turks claim some minor
advantages, both under Osman Pasha, in the neighborhood of Plevna, and
in the neighborhood of Rasgrad, under Mehemet Ali Pasha. Of Russian
successes, if they have any, we have heard little during the last
month.
The influence upon popular feeling of the two nearly simultaneous actions
at Plevna and Eski-Sagra has been very great. The Turks have acquired
self-confidence, and have lost much of their dread of the Russians. The
excitement which a few weeks ago prevailed in the city has subsided, and
quiet and good order have been re-established. I notice, too, as the
success of the Turks increases, the zeal of some of their professed
friends abates manifestly. Should they finally prevail unaided, such
persons would probably see “their interests” imperiled quite as much as
if the Turks had been defeated by the Russians.
* * * * * * *
Russia evidently committed the grave mistake of undervaluing the
resources of Turkey, and especially her capacity for defense. The
present campaign was planned, no doubt, upon those of 1828 and 1829,
which proved so disastrous to Turkey. But the relative condition of the
two powers has very much changed in the last fifty years. Russia has
acquired railroad facilities for the movement of her troops and
supplies. She has also improved her military system and the character of
her arms. But she has not the command of the Black Sea, a very serious
matter in the conduct of a campaign at the two extremities of such a
body of water. She then had two very able commanders, Field-Marshal
Paskewitch and Field-Marshal Diebitsch. Of her present military leaders
I know too little to speak.
Turkey, on the other hand, has gained strength in many ways. She, too,
has built railroads, but they all stop short of her northern frontiers;
of great service to her, but none to an invading enemy. She has also
improved her military system; indeed created it anew. In 1828 the
Janizaries had just been destroyed, and their place had not been taken
by other troops. Since that time the Turks have been gradually
conforming themselves to the requirements of modern warfare.
During the Crimean war they looked on while the great powers of Europe
fought. They established a military school, employed foreign
instructors, and sent their young men abroad. With great pains they
procured the most effective of improved weapons, and their soldiers are
confessedly better armed than their adversaries. The men themselves are
the admiration of all who see them; of large stature, well formed, and
strong, sober in their habits, self-contained, and amenable to
discipline, and at the same time full of spirit and capable of being
excited to frenzy by fanatic appeals. In 1828 Turkey had not restored
her navy, all but annihilated at the battle of Navarino. Now her ships
not only command the Black Sea and its approaches, but the Mediterranean
as
[Page 606]
well, So that no Russian
vessel has been seen inside the Straits of Gibraltar since the war
began. Besides, she has a large fleet of transports, very serviceable
and constantly in use. Then her military leaders were unskillful and
inefficient. At this moment she has four of admitted superiority: Ahmed
Moukhtar Pasha, in Asia; in Europe, Mehemet Ali Pasha, who has succeeded
Abdul Kerim Pasha in the chief command, though not, I believe, with the
title of serdar ekrem (generalissimo) 5 Osman Pasha, and Suleiman Pasha.
I inclose some correspondence recently published here which gives a
sketch of Ahmed. Moukhtar Pasha; also describes the ravages inflicted
upon the Armenian Christian population by the Turks and their allies,
though the writer is manifestly not in sympathy with the Russians.
Mehemet Ali Pasha is an adopted German with an adopted name. A sketch of
his early life appeared a few days ago, which is inclosed. The accuracy
of the sketch has been questioned by those who ascribe to this officer a
much humbler origin. Osman Pasha and Suleiman Pasha are both, I believe,
Turks.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
181.]
[Article from the Daily Levant Herald
of August 28, 1877.)
migration from the caucasus.
[From an occasional
correspondent.]
We are very glad to see the Levant Herald once more after its late
suspension. The familiar English tongue reminds us so much of home
that out here your journal always receives a warm welcome.
The late movements at Soukoum-Kaleh are changing very materially the
face of the country, the inhabitants of those parts being removed to
other regions. The Turkish Government doubtless has the interest of
the poor people at heart in the course it is pursuing, since after
the recent occupation of Soukoum-Kaleh it is thought dangerous or
the inhabitants to fall into the hands of the Russians again, as
some of them have been in rebellion. Hence their removal to Turkish
territory, thus securing their safety and adding a population to the
Ottoman Empire. Whether the agents in charge of this transfer act
entirely in accordance with the wishes, of the Porte may be question
ed. We cannot think the government would coerce the poor creatures
into a change of country, and yet, from statements of some of the
emigrants themselves, such seems to have been the case in not a few
instances. Some were desirous to leave, others were not, but
nevertheless were drawn on with the rest, no time being given for
deliberation. The steamers in waiting were in a hurry to leave, and
therefore the most summary means were used to hasten the people on
board, one member of a family being thrust in here and another there
in great confusion, much of their paltry effects being left behind
and given to the flames. Some of them brought their cattle with
them, while others had to leave everything. They had the appearance
of having been in a most destitute condition in their own country,
and such is the report of those who have been in the Caucasus. After
a two days’ voyage at sea they come on shore here in a most filthy
and forlorn condition.
Their own government can hardly have done its duty by them or they
would not be in such a plight when they land in this city.
It is said 50,000 of them are to be settled in this province alone.
Certain it is that several thousand are already here, their dirty
forms, in filthy, tattered rags, moving about the streets in great
numbers. The government has lodged them all in the vacant quarters
of the town. There is a fear that Trebizond will be overrun with
them, and the price of the necessaries of life increased. They are
said to be very ignorant, hardly any of them possessing the most
elementary rudiments of education. They seem also to have very
little religious belief. If they happen to be met by a Mohammedan
they affect Mohammedanism; if by a Christian, they make the sign of
the cross.
What the government will gain from this influx of poor, destitute
strangers it is difficult to say. There is danger that from their
total neglect of anything like the laws of health or common decency,
much sickness will accompany them wherever they go; and possibly
when government rations are cut off they will, for want of
employment, betake themselves to robbery as a means of gaining a
livelihood.
[Page 607]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
181.]
[Extract from the Daily Levant Herald,
August 10, 1877.]
seat of war in asia.
[From our own correspondent.]
I send yon, under separate cover, a few geographical and statistical
details on this country, which has certainly never been explored,
except by a very small number of learned men and travelers. It must,
however, have been the object of deep study on the part of the
Russian staff. If their plan of conquest has failed, it is certainly
owing to their having taken the Turkish soldiers for Kirghises, and
their generals for gang chiefs. It is thus that the so-called
strategical boldness of General Loris Melikoff, extolled by all the
European newspapers, has been foiled by the more serious, though
less resounding, talent of Moukhtar Pasha. It is not the first time
the course of events has placed me by the side of this general, so
much scoffed at in the beginning of the campaign, but whose strategy
is now sincerely and universally praised. Last year I followed his
campaign in Herzegovina, where, thanks to his energy and sang froid, he succeeded with a few
battalions in arresting the army of Prince Nikita, after the
Verbitza reverse, and the closure of the port of Klek, and setting
at naught all the efforts of the Montenegrins to profit by their
victory. Moukhtar is not more than forty years old, and is one of
the youngest muchirs in the army. He also
belongs to the new school by his energy and instruction.
Your correspondent was much surprised to see that the commander of
the army in Asia has given orders that all the strategical
publications to which he subscribes should be sent to him, even on
the battle-field. I had already noticed this peculiarity at Trebigné
This, however, does not prevent his exposing himself personally
every time he has occasion to do so. At the battle of Deli-Baba,
which he won on the 21st of June, he fought like a common soldier.
This battle lasted sixteen hours, began again the next morning, and
continued for another seventeen hours. The Turkish army was in
raptures at the conduct of its chief, and the Russians, completely
beaten, were at night-fall driven away from their intrenchments and
obliged to begin the famous “retraite motivée,” which still
continues and threatens to prolong itself to Tiflis.
I have no military events to record this weeki The Russian center is
always on both sides of the frontier, with Moukhtar’s army at its
heels. This army is now composed of 60,000 experienced men, ready to
meet the enemy, and full of confidence in their leader. It is
divided into two corps, one of which is commanded by Moukhtar
himself, and the other by the brave commander of Kars, Hussein Hami
Pasha. There are, moreover, a certain number of battalions within
the walls of Kars. Whatever be the motive attributed to the Russian
rout, and although the early arrival of 50,000 Russians on the
frontier from Alexandropol, is announced, it can safely be foretold
that it will be difficult for the Russians to take again the
offensive with any chance of success before next year. The summer is
well-nigh over under the inclement skies of Armenia. In a few weeks,
a few days, perhaps, furs will be needed, and the roads and fields
will be covered with snow. How will the Russians ever be able with
their heavy war-stock to cross again the Soghanli-Dagh and the
terrible passes leading into the country? In winter, the Ottomans
will find in the elements much more serious allies than the Kurds,
of whose exploits I shall presently tell you.
The events at Bayazid continue to occupy public attention. On that
side of the frontier Ismail Hakki Pasha has under his orders about
fifty thousand men, since Colonel Hussein Avni’s brigade has joined
his army. This army, among which are 25,000 Kurds (19,000 infantry
and 6,000 horsemen), is placed on the left of Bayazid, watching and
threatening the Erivan road by which the Russians expect numerous
re-enforcements. A Kurd spy of the Yezid tribe, who returned from
the Russian camp on the 15th of July, informed Ismail Hakki that the
Russians had received orders to remain on the frontier and not to
take the offensive until their number had been increased to 40,000.
This regards, of course, their left wing. Let me tell you en passant that the Kurds of the Yezid tribe
believe in Satan, and never suffer anybody to spit in their
presence.
We have now had at Erzeroum a detailed account of all that took place
at Bayazid since the hostilities first began. The declaration of war
was no sooner issued than an army composed of ten battalions of
infantry, eight thousand Cossacks, and thirty-two cannons, crossed
the frontier on the 17th of April and marched toward the plain of
Bayazid. In this town there were two Turkish battalions, four
hundred horsemen, and four cannons. The Russians camped in the plain
and sent a flag of truce to the Turks informing them that they were
to give up the place, and that they would be free to go where they
liked.
The little garrison at once took advantage of the offer, packed up
its goods, and
[Page 608]
retired to
Van. The Russians then occupied the town. The commander of the
Russian forces, General Der Honcassoff, perceiving that the
inhabitants had closed their shops and remained shut up in their
houses, sent for two notables, a Turk and an Armenian, and informed
them that he had come as a friend of the population; that his only
enemy was the Turkish Government, and that the inhabitants might
therefore resume their business without fear of being molested by
anybody. General Der Honcassoff ordered, at the same time, a sentry
to be placed in every quarter, and the inhabitants, quieted and
reassured, reopened their shops the same day. A few days after this,
General Der Honcassoff, leaving at Bayazid one battalion of
infantry, 1,500 Cossacks, and two cannons, started for Diadin, which
he took without meeting any resistance whatever.
It was in the interval of this movement beyond Bayazid that some Kurd
tribes, the Hassanali, the Sibichli, &c., about three thousand
rifles in all, with Sophi-Agha at their head,.penetrated into the
district of Alaschkrd, and sacked all its ninety villages, inhabited
by about 3,000 Armenian families. The district of Alaschkrd is
composed of the cazas of Diadin, Antap,
Karakilissé, and the locality of Nahié. All the villages of these
cazas have been pillaged by these
ferocious banditti. Toprak-Kaleh and Hastour are the only places
which have escaped destruction. Thanks to the Turks at Toprak-Kaleh,
it was the son of Mehmet Pasha Surmeli who protected the Christians
and succeeded in preventing pillage; at Hastour it was a touroun (priest) hassanali, for whom the Kurds profess a certain
veneration.
We will now return to Bayazid with garrison of 1,500 Cossacks and one
battalion of infantry. One thousand Cossacks and 500 men (infantry)
soon left the town and marched toward Van, then fell back on Abagha.
Faïk Pasha, with seven battalions of regular troops, one field
battery, and 25,000 Kurds, attacked them at Abagha, when the rest of
the Bayazid garrison came to the rescue. Faïk defeated and pursued
them to Bayazid. One hundred and twenty-four infantrymen were taken
prisoners by the Turks and sent under escort to Van. Three hundred
Russian horsemen surrendered, but the Kurds fell upon and killed
them. The rest of the Cossacks gained the frontier (19th June,
1877). The colonel who commanded the Russians was wounded during the
action. He was taken back to the fortress, where he soon died of his
wounds. The Cossacks assembled and named commander, or commandress,
the wife of their chief, who accompanied her husband and fought
along with them. I have told you in my preceding letters what has
since taken place at Bayazid.
A few lines more about Kars. During the siege, the wounded and sick
amounted to 1,034. The hospitals of this stronghold are now; being
emptied; the sick are sent to Erzeroum. The day before yesterday we
had an arrival of 337 sick, and yesterday another of 189. It is said
that before the raising of the siege, the Grand Duke Michael sent a
message to the commander of Kars saying that he would lose his head
sooner than not take Kars. It is now Moukhtar who is going to lay
siege to Alexandropol. It appears that the Russian fortresses on the
frontier are in a very neglected state. It is only quite lately
that, according to official information, they have been placed in
condition to resist a siege.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 181]
[Extract from the Daily Levant Herald
of August 26, 1877.]
mehemet ali pasha at school in
germany.
The German papers publish what they describe as genuine school
reports of Carl Detroit, of Magdeburg, now Mehemet Ali Pasha,
commander-in-chief of the Turkish army of the Danube. That of
Michaelmas, 1838, says: Behavior not faultless; industry might be
better; progress, a little; Latin, pretty good; German, pretty good;
history, pretty good; geography and French, middling j arithmetic,
poor; writing, satisfactory; drawing, middling; singing, poor.
The report of the next term says: Attention, much better; industry
also better, with exceptions; behavior, good.
His last report Easter, 1842, says: He lacked steadiness; Latin, read
Caesar and Ovid very well; Greek, satisfactory; German, good;
French, good; mathematics, satisfactory. A note says: Very prompt in
the independent working of problems; natural history, middling;
history and geography, good. He was fourteen years old when he left
school, and will therefore this year reach his fiftieth year.
