TURKEY.—At present Constantinople is the rendezvous of most of the revolutionists of Europe. Here Klapka, the hero of Komorn, with many of his revolutionary friends, has taken up his abode. Here Gen. Wysocki, with his Polish compatriots, now resides; and here a host of refugees, from all parts of Italy, have flocked together, each and all hoping to join the Turkish army, or in the event of a general war to return and light the torch of rebellion in their fatherlands.
The hopes of these refugees are daily becoming brighter, and they already see in the coming war the glimmering dawn of better days. As yet few of them have been admitted into the Turkish army, the Ottoman government having declined to accept their services until it was ascertained what part Austria designed to take in the coming contest. Should the latter side with Russia, the Hungarians, Italians and Poles will rally around the banner of the Prophet, and avenge under the crescent the injuries that they have so long suffered from the hands of their oppressors.
The Turks have thus far been victorious; Russia, however, has never failed after each battle to claim the victory. At Oltenitza the Russians were badly beaten, yet the Czar ordered a "Te Deum" to be chanted in the churches throughout his dominions, thanking God for the successes that had crowned his arms. At Techtene the Turks were again successful; nevertheless the Russian nation had the gratification of reading in their journals an account of the victory which they had obtained upon that occasion.
At Kalafat the Russians lost upwards of thirty officers and 2,000 men—were forced to retreat; and yet, by some strange process of reasoning, the Czar has convinced himself that his troops were victorious. If burning a number of unprotected villages and laying waste the adjacent country, be a victory worthy of the sword of a great power, then Russia may be allowed to enjoy the triumph to which she lays claim. Report, however, says that the Emperor is not altogether pleased with the manner in which Gen. Gortschakoff behaved upon that occasion, and that he intends substituting another in his stead. No correct news has reached Constantinople respecting the second battle which has taken place at Kalafat. Should the Turks be victorious, the arrogance of the Russians will be much diminished. If defeated, it will be difficult to infuse zeal into the breasts of their already dispirited troops. With money, the Turks may hold out until the middle of the summer, without the assistance of the foreign powers. Unless, however, they be enabled to obtain a loan, to liquidate the arrears already due the army, it will melt away before the end of spring.
In point of discipline, in subsistence, and clothing, the Turkish soldiers are much better off than the Russian. The latter, (those on the banks of the Danube) are badly fed, badly clothed, and in a bad state of discipline. This state of things will not long continue, as the well-organized armies of the north are fast marching to the Danube. It is for England and France to determine whether their progress shall be arrested or whether they shall be permitted to enter Constantinople. A few months delay, and the assistance of these Powers will be of no avail. The Turks are of the same opinion, and have already become heartily tired of the procrastinating and dilatory policy of the French and English governments.