The Russians now decided to move on Sofia, cross the Balkans, relieve Shipka from the south and attack Vessil Pasha, the Tsarevitch with his 70,000 men being left to guard the communi cations. Gourko on Dec. 25 advanced with 54 divisions against the Turks but on reaching Toshkesen he found that the Turks had already retreated. The Russians, after occupying Sofia, followed the enemy, who was making for Tatar Bazardjik. There Suleiman assumed command, having collected a force 50,000 strong, in cluding reinforcements from Shumen. Radetsky began his attack on Jan. 5 at Shipka, being aided by two columns coming on his left and right ; the western, Skobeleff with 17,000; the eastern, Prince Imeretinsky with 19,00o men. The Prince's advance was held up, while Skobeleff, delayed, came on the scene only the following day, when they together captured the Turkish en trenched camp two miles south of the Pass, forcing Vessil Pasha to capitulate with 36,00o men. Suleiman, on hearing of Vessil Pasha's surrender, made for Philipopolis, Gourko following in direct pursuit, while Radetsky cut off his retreat from Adrianople, entering the town with his advanced guard on Jan. 19. After several minor actions near the town Suleiman retreated to the south over the Rhodope Mountains direct to the coast reaching Enos on Jan. 28. His forces were then shipped to Constantinople. The Russians advanced rapidly towards the Turkish capital, reach ing the Chataldja lines on Jan. 3o. Next day an armistice was concluded, the terms being greatly modified at the Berlin con ference which took place the following July, when Russia was de prived of many important concessions, which greatly irritated both the nation and the army. Bulgaria now became an inde
pendent principality, while Eastern Roumelia was to be under the protectorate of Turkey.
While these events were taking place in Europe military opera tions were simultaneously being carried on in the Caucasus. The Grand Duke Michael, the Tsar's brother, commanded the Russian forces which were 65,00o strong. The Turks numbered 70,000 men under Mukhtar Pasha. The same mistake was committed in the Caucasus as had been done in Europe—the Russian army finding itself too weak was obliged to await reinforcements, which arrived by the end of August when they began their ad vance. The first serious battle occurred on Oct. 15, at Aladja Dagh, when the Turks were defeated, a part of their forces hur riedly making for Kars, which was an important fortress, while the other portion fled to Erzeroum. Kars was now invested. A month later on Nov. 18, the Russians stormed and captured it. This was a brilliant feat of arms, perhaps the finest Russian ex ploit throughout this war. Their communications now being as sured, the Russians moved rapidly towards Erzeroum, but the severe winter weather and the strength of the fortifications pre vented them capturing it as quickly as they had hoped. When the armistice was concluded Erzeroum was still holding out, but the Turks were now forced to evacuate it under the terms of the armistice. The Russo-Turkish War amply proved the truth of the military maxim that to wage war with insufficient forces is highly risky. The Russians were many times on the brink of disaster, which would most certainly have occurred had they been faced by abler Turkish leaders and more efficiently trained troops. (A. Smi.)