The European news is still unimportant. No attempt has yet
been made to cross the Danube,—the river has risen greatly, and the arrival of the Czar at Bucharest, which was to have been the signal for active operations, is postponed to June 7. It is still believed that the Russians will cross at many places at once, and day by day the estimate of the force now concentrating upon the river seems to in- crease, while the slow and complete preparations of the Grand Duke imply a determination to make the passage one of the entire army. The Turks are reported to be quite ready everywhere along the river, but in Constantinople the Generals and the Minister of War are evidently distrusted. The impression seems to be that there is a want of energy, and demon- strations are spoken of against the Ministry, and even against the Sultan. We incline to believe that the letters from the front alarm the better-informed Mahommedans, and that facts are known to them about the condition of the army not suspected in Western Europe. At all events, as the crisis draws nearer there is much disorder in Constantinople, and great complaints of the conduct of the war.
