Novoye Vremya - New Times - Est. 1868News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Editor: Aleksei Sergeyevich Suvorin
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - March 7th, 1898
"Time to Look North"The Russian Empire has been at the forefront of the opening of lands, realms and resources to European and Slavic civilisation across Eurasia. Whether in defence of the Christian peoples of Europe and the Near East; her taming of the steppe hordes who long did her ill; or indeed, in the continuing construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, surely the greatest engineering project in the history of Europe or Asia; our Tsars and their loyal subjects have throughout history gone where none before them dared. Millions of our dear Tsar Nikolai's loyal subjects have already moved east during his reign - helped by generous land grants. This paper has called many times for more help to be given to citizens who seek out these new, fertile lands that might be tamed. But as well as looking East, and indeed to all our frontiers, we must not forget to look to the frozen North - for in this modern age of exploration and discovery, the prestige of the greatest empire in the world demands it!
Editorial by A.S. Suvorin
Technology, experience and geography mean that we have a truly momentous opportunity to do so. Who can deny Russia's experience of the coldest of winters, the hardiest of constitutions? Technical innovations such as the icebreaker are a wondrous sight and prove that given support, our explorers could outmatch any who seek to rival them. The Novoye Vremya's editorial staff have from today, decided to call upon the government to do more to further Russia's exploration of the polar region on our doorstep - and indeed, exploration further afield as well. International events of late only reiterate the need for the ministers of government to advance our cause!
Consider, then, the recent Treaty of Hannover signed between Germany and Austro-Hungary, for the establishment of a base of operations within the Spitsbergen Archipelago. That Austria and Germany would have more of an official presence in the archipelago than Russia is, surely, a sign that we risk falling behind in the exploration of the polar regions. We must be wary of any naval base being situated by our neighbours near another of our shipping lanes; but we should equally be unwilling to accept falling behind in our scientific endeavours in the Arctic.
We must immediately put the technology learnt during exploration of the east to use in the north. This paper calls on the government and - most importantly - the loyal subjects of Russia to do their utmost, to help those brave explorers who seek to win us glory through science, discovery and peaceful furthering of man's knowledge of God's good Earth. Let us further the work of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society as keenly as we work to further the Empire on all of her borders![/i]
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - March 14th, 1898
Geographical Society Commissions ExpeditionSt Petersburg high society has been buzzing with news of progress in the halls of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society. Formed in 1845 with an aim to further scientific understanding of oceanography and to encourage exploration of the further reaches of the globe, earlier today the Society announced a push to explore the Arctic north.
Eduard Vasiliyevich Toll, expected leader of the expedition
The exact details are yet to be worked out - but it is understood that Baron Eduard Toll, veteran explorer and a man who has long called for more support for polar ventures, yesterday met the Tsar himself in The Winter Palace. One can only hope that this signals an intent for the baron to lead at least one part of this expedition; for our understanding is that several recent graduates of the Imperial Navy with an interest in the matter have been approached. It is no wonder that the upcoming completion of the first ocean-going icebreaker of the Empire is also attracting attention, with private entrepreneurs said to be contemplating construction of several more.
The question everyone has on their lips, of course, is where they shall depart for? Some, such as the liberal editors of the Russkiye Vedomosti, have gone so far as to suggest it may be a plan to chart the Russian Arctic. The journalists and writers of the Muscovite press, meanwhile, have presumed an expedition to visit Greenland or the Bering Strait may be in the offing, for purposes of oceanography. The Novoye Vremya, however, will go further. We know not exactly where this first expedition may go - but surely, this is only the first stage in Russian exploration of the entire Arctic, even unto the Pole itself - and from there, dear readers, we might well look south!
Goremykin Eyes Interior Ministry ReformsThis paper has long supported the policies of Interior Minister Goremykin. A loyal servant to our good Tsar and Little Father Nicholas II, his is a steady hand at a time of great change. However, many have been surprised to hear of his own supporting increased zemstvo representation; and indeed, speaking of a special conference on the needs of agriculture. This paper would urge the government to be wary of such moves; and to properly consult those who would be affected by it - namely, the landlords, the peasant communes, and local government. The expectation of the peasant must not be inflated by words loosely bandied about; and we should look to Russian, not Western ideas first.
Already some would call for a reappraisal of the Land Captains and associated reforms of the latter period of the late Tsar Alexander III; and rumours of debates within government on such a move must surely be ended by Tsar Nicholas himself taking a firm stand on the matter. In this paper, we are often focused on matters beyond Imperial borders - but it is important that the Empire remains as strong, as steady, and as steadfast as ever she has been under the illustrious Romanov dynasty.
Foreign Minister Tours GlobeDiplomatic circles have been deep in discussion at news of the foreign minister leaving St Petersberg for a tour of the capitals of the Great Powers of the world. While rumours initially suggested this may be to court support for Russian moves in foreign policy, some reports from Western Europe suggest that the much-vaunted and long-sought idea of a convention on the rules of war may be his true purpose. Count Muravyov is known to himself be committed to the idea; however several senior conservative figures are known to be concerned that it may lead to a narrowing of technological avenues.
Count Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravyov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire
The Tsar himself is said to be behind the tour of many capitals across the globe, which may lead to some shift in the balance of power within the Committee of Ministers - it is reported that the loyal and long-serving Tolstoy is getting less of a hearing as his health deteriorates, adding another element to the situation. Let us hope that the Foreign Minister, whatever his mission, remembers the consideration of the prestige of Russia.
Navy Deploys to Port Arthur
From our correspondent in Dal'niy, Kvantunskaya oblasti
Internal tension within Qing China continues to cause difficulties for European traders, with anti-foreign sentiment rising particularly in the vicinity of the Imperial capital of Peking. Matters may well have been predicted to spiral out of control with the deployment of German forces in response to the murder of Roman Catholic priests by extremists; as a result German forces now are in control of areas of the Shandong Peninsula, specifically Tsingtao.
Russia, in keeping with her treaties with the Qing Dynasty, has deployed Imperial Russian Naval forces to Dal'niy. From the mood of the naval officers and indeed, the German consul in the city, it is clear that this is merely a reactive measure and not intent on causing an escalation - the Russian consul going so far as to say that the maintenance of diplomatic order in the Far East is in the interests of all. Rather, the news most capturing the attention of Russian, German and Chinese traders alike in Manchuria, is the hastening of investment in the Trans-Siberian Railway by St Petersburg, and the expected boost in trade.
Minister of Agriculture to Form Emigration Department
From our correspondent in Tomsk, Tomsk Province
The Novoye Vremya today celebrates another step towards a strengthening of state support for colonisation of the Russian East, with the announcement by the Committee of Ministers of the creation of an Emigration Department at the Ministry of Agriculture. It is expected that millions more will move into the virgin lands of Siberia and the Russian Far East, in seeking to create new settlements, farms and cities. They go in the spirit of Yermak, the spirit of Pavlutsky, and of the greatness of the All-Russian Nation!
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - May 20th, 1898
International Convention On The Laws of War AnnouncedThe All-Russian Empire today announced plans for a special conference on the conduct and manner of war on land and at sea in the first half of 1899. Count Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravyov, imperial Foreign minister, has recently completed a tour of several European and foreign capitals, and upon his return to St Petersburg was delighted to bring to the good Tsar Nicholas II the agreement of the European and North American powers to the Tsar's proposal for a convention.
The announced convention shall seek to declare the common laws of war - and to allow international arbitration to perhaps become a force for good across the globe. Formal agreement to attend the conference in writing was received from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the German Empire; while the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Republic of France, and the Kingdom of Italy all gave assurances of intent to attend in person to the Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire, Count Muravyov.
The official statement from the newly created office of the Imperial Secretariat is that the views of all nations shall now formally be sought. These shall then be compiled by the Russian Foreign Ministry for consultation and corroboration; the intent being that, in a neutral location such as The Hague in the Netherlands or Geneva, Switzerland, in the first half of 1899, all attendant nations may meet and discuss formal proposals, before a final ratification may then take place.
Statement issued to all newspapers by the Imperial Secretariat of the Russian Empire.
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - June 5th, 1898
All-Russian Arctic Expeditions TriumphantDelighted crowds in St Petersburg today welcomed home the first sailors to return from Imperial Russia's exploratory missions in the Arctic Sea. As the Novoye Vremya has reported, three missions left Murmansk this year. Captain Fyodor Matisen has now returned from the Spitsbergen Archipelago, having undertaken oceanographic surveys of the seas surrounding the islands. His own journals make for fascinating reading - as indeed do many of the photographs of the animals plentiful in these waters.
The vessel of Captain Fyodor Matisen off Spitsbergen
Matisen was quick to speak to reporters in the capital, before he attended a dinner attended by some members of the Imperial Family, in celebration of his voyage. The landing of the crew on Spitsbergen went off quite uneventfully, beyond one incident which resulted in the death of a white polar bear, the pelt of which has been gifted to the Imperial Russian Geographical Society, and which now adorns their great hall. The Imperial Russian Navy is reported to be considering manouvres in the Arctic Sea to become a mainstay of the training ships - particularly as tensions over Arctic waters have become surprisingly high between other great powers. Several German and Austrian vessels were spotted off of Spitsbergen, though the vessel captained by Matisen did not approach the Austro-German base.
Word also reaches the Imperial Capital that the Kolomeitsev Expedition, exploring the North East Passage and improving the understanding of these seas, has arrived in the East Siberian Sea. The expedition has managed to add to the charts held by commercial and naval shipping records already; and the chance of studying the temperature and climactic readings taken by the scientists aboard are eagerly awaited. Several shipping magnates have now pledged to improve the safety record of the Kara Expeditions, by using this new information.
Imperial Russian Navy crew aboard the Nayezdnik, Laptev Sea, dated 13.05.98
The question now must surely be where next for the latest exploits of these two fine captains - and while we may understandably focus on the lands to our north, the question of whether to further explore the reaches of Antarctica as Austria has done does rear it's head. The Imperial Russian Navy must be at the forefront of scientific and geographical innovation in the future, just as she has been over these past months.
A perfect example of this is surely the news from Franz Josef Land, where the flag of the All-Russian nation flutters proudly in the chill northern wind. As the height of summer is reached, it is the intriguing truth that, as there is no night for these islands in midsummer, the sun truly never sets on the Russian Empire!
Russian icebreaker Yermak leaving Murmansk, dated 02.04.98
The Baron Toll is known to be the leader of this expedition - and he is among Russia's most experienced polar explorers. Already a small base camp is understood to have been built, from where scientific measurements and geological surveys have been undertaken. This most northerly of Russia's sovereign territories must rightly be explored - and it is a comfort to know that the baron has made several forays over the sea ice, nearer the Pole. It is anticipated that this base camp may be kept over the winter, but the decision shall be left to the baron himself, due to the severe dangers such isolation might entail till the spring thaw.
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - June 29th, 1898
The Obschina versus the Khutor - Agrarian Reforms Begin
It is a rare discussion on Russian agriculture that does not mention the 1861 reforms of our present Tsar's grandfather, and the emancipation of the serfs. Since then, Russia and her agrarian economy has come on by leaps and bounds - due in no small part to education, to technology, and to the good governance of our Emperors. Despite the naysayers and terrorists who would murder their way to anarchy, the Russian state continues to grow and her economy prospers.
The generosity capable in our autocratic system has been proven by the latest rounds of reforms, supervised by Interior Minister Goremykin. Though rumoured to be a sceptic of the plans initially, the reforms which have encouraged the Peasant Land Bank to favour a transition of land from communal to private ownership have been well received by many - though grumbles from some of the minor nobility continue to be heard. Debts incurred from the 1861 reform, and still burdening some peasants, are to be taken by the state in such cases - and new incentives to move east from the more crowded areas are expected to be announced shortly. This paper would ask that the rights and loyalty of the nobility would be heard - for while the peasant must be raised to a greater state than that previously held; it must equally be the case that the nobleman, who manages his estate well and without oppression, is recognised by state and empire as the finest of subjects.
Kuropatkin Reforms Imperial ArmyThe arms race across Europe continues. In a climate of increasing tension across the globe, with wars in Spain and China both threatening the status quo, it is small wonder that many great powers have invested in their armed forces; and Russia cannot afford to be outdone. The navies of Sweden, Germany, Britain, Austria, Turkey and many others are being expanded and upgraded at a steady pace; the Russian Navy is rumoured to be planning reforms of her own.
It is however the Kuropatkin Reforms of the Imperial Army which have attracted the most international attention; infantry, artillery and machine gun technologies are being researched at a swift rate, but that is but one aspect of a far wider reform programme by the new minister of war. Officer and cadet training has been boosted substantially; and age limits for higher offices and line commands have been introduced. It is to be hoped that the ongoing world crises do not force Russia to test the effectiveness of these reforms - but the might of Russia stands ready to protect her subjects and friends.
Progress in Trans Siberian Railway Construction
Officials in the Kvantunskaya oblast congratulated the thousands employed once more this summer on the greatest engineering project in Russia's history. The economic benefits of the continued construction of the Trans Siberian Railway cannot be overstated; for it has begun to open up the east that generations of Russian soldiers, cossacks and farmers have fought to conquer! Even now, Russian traders and merchants ship iron, coal and other raw materials west, as more and more peasants move east to settle the frontier.
A further, unpublicised move has been to reform the train timetables to ensure both commercial and state trains are moved back and forth as quickly as possible. Already the Imperial Secretariat, and minister Sergei Witte, have confirmed a further extension of additional funding to help complete the line. In addition, several new towns are planned in Russian Central Asia, with land to be granted to military veterans, peasants taking advantage of recent land reforms, and local natives wishing to feel the great benefits of the All-Russian culture and empire!
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - October 8th, 1899
Attack on Sevastopol Foiled - Turkish Fleet Sunk!Russia celebrates today as news from the south brings joy - for the Ottoman fleet has been foiled in an attempted assault on Sevastopol. The Turkish fleet, poorly supplied and maintained, sailed from Constantinople in the dead of night, and made north towards the Russian Black Sea Fleet's headquarters. Hoping to surprise the Imperial Russian Navy at anchor due to an inferiority at sea, they sought to sneak northwards undetected; in a move thought to have been planned before Russian troops had moved to reinforce our Balkan allies. The plot was foiled, however, by the combined efforts of Bulgarian and Russian naval staff.
It thus came to pass that the Turkish fleet was intercepted by the Russian Black Sea Fleet, having been outmanoeuvered on her voyage, and detected by the allied forces. The precise manoeuvres of the battle remain unclear as news arrives; but the Novoye Vremya understands that the superior range and firepower of our imperial vessels destroyed several Turkish vessels in the initial exchange, including the ironclad Mesudiye.
Subsequently, the Ottoman commander steamed directly towards the Russian position, successfully closing the gap; in that time, the Imperial Russian vessel Рында was damaged by a lucky shot that exploded the magazine. We do understand however that the majority of her crew were saved, beyond those killed in the initial explosion; we must be sure that on all fronts of this war, they did not die in vain.
Their deaths were swiftly avenged, however - with a swift barrage seeing the Turk lose almost the entirety of the remaining vessels - including Lûtf-ü Hümâyûn, Feyzâ-i Bahri, and the refitted Âsâr-ı Tevfik with all hands. Only one vessel escaped to Constantinople, unable even to pick up lifeboats of her crew. God's favour shines on the brave sailors and gunners of the Tsar's fleet!
Гром победы, раздавайся!
Веселися, храбрый Росс!Army of the Slavs Advances!The Imperial Russian Army, too, has won famous victories on the field - victories won for all the Slavs, whether in the combatant allied countries of Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Russia, oppressed by the Turk, or in other realms. Our correspondent with the Imperial Russian 5th Division, IX Corps, has reported that on the route south, reinforced troops were met with cheering crowds from the Don to the Aegean. It is small wonder that the Tsar himself is a hero to the Slav forces - blessing the faithful before the initiation of hostilities, and visiting allies in Belgrade and Sofia. Russian officers have been billeted with allied armies for some years; and the ease of coordination has been much helped by this.
The greatest military engagement of the war on land has been won by Russia and Bulgaria fighting together, united in piety and brotherhood. 50 units of the allied armies met 35 of the Turk's demoralised, and ill-supplied soldiers met on the Thracian border, and the Turkish army has been near-wiped out. Though a fighting retreat by them has slowed the steady advance of Russo-Bulgarian forces into Thrace herself, the victorious army has won not only glory, but allowed the other Allied armies - Slav, Greek, and Western - to beat back the Ottoman.
Even now the Serbo-Montenegrin front has struck as lightning southwards into Ottoman-occupied territory, trapping the belligerent Turk in the south as Asiatic invaders before him once were. Hellas, our Orthodox brethren, have not been forgotten by the Slavic race; nor shall the pillaging of the Greek nation over centuries be forgotten by our righteous armies, as the Great Powers of Russia, Britain, France and Italy have moved to defend civilisation from barbarism.
Meanwhile Bulgar forces have swept south also; taking Kavala, Serres, and reportedly being within touching distance of Salonika. The liberation of Christian land, for so long occupied by the Turk and his foul corruption, is nearing completion - and all the Russias, all Europe, and all the civilised world celebrates. Should the foul pashas lying in filth in the city of Constantine read this - know that the blood of Tsar Ferdinand, his sons and every Christian butchered by a sultan's order shall be avenged by our valiant soldiers!
Звучной славой украшайся.
Магомета ты потрёс!
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - June 21st, 1900
A Just Peace Must Follow Ottoman BelligerenceFew could have guessed as the last year of the 19th century dawned that a momentous year in Slav, Greek and Turkish history was to come. But for events in Crete in 1898, and the incomprehensible actions of the Ottoman soldiers on the island and the sultan in Constantinople, that peace may well have held.
Opinion Column by Mikhail Menshikov
Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian troops pose together following the capture of Adrianople
The murder of 700 Greeks and 15 British citizens in Crete, a consul among them, changed that. Initial diplomatic reactions from the Great Powers were shocked, demanding answers, but muted nonetheless so soon after the Greco-Turkish War of 1897. Britain sponsored a peace proposal, that would have seen hostilities averted, but also Turkish withdrawal from Crete. The support of France and Russia added to hopes of a quick resolution.
The reaction of the sultan was to be violent, aggressive, and deceitful. Refusing to respond to diplomacy, the Ottomans ignored the ambassadors of concerned powers. No answer came from the Turk to the Great Powers, and instead, they decided to not only ignore the Treaty of Constantinople that had ended the war only one year previously, but to also attempt reckless provocation of a great war.
For the Ottomans, either from miscalculation of Great Power rivalry, misjudgement of involvement in China, sheer barbarous bloodthirst - or a combination of all of the above - decided to act. Ignoring ambassadors and protocol alike, Turkish agents murdered the Tsar of Bulgaria and his family shortly after the new year. Placing false evidence of Austrian involvement at the scene, the good conscience of the dead family's unknowing groundskeeper ended a Turkish attempt to prematurely spark war between Russia and Austria - and perhaps between all of Europe as a result.
Soldiers of the Ottoman Army en route to the Greek front in the early stages of the war
The flawed logic behind this attempt became apparent when the Turkish army rolled simultaneously into tiny Greece. Brave Athens resisted, but the Greek capital fell swiftly, the Ottomans burning, raping and pillaging a small Christian realm as is their ancestral wont. But the heroism of their ancestors lives on in Greeks today - rekindled in the holding of the Peloponnese against great odds, till the arrival of the allied armies.
The rest is now better known to Russia, to Slavs and to Europe as a whole. An unlikely alliance of the Slavs, Hellenes, French, British and Italians brought low the dream of the sultan to reconquer Greece, and tear up the Treaty of Constantinople. Peace is now within our grasp, with the sultan captured. Not since 1402, and the victory of Tamerlane over the Ottomans outside Ankara, has a Turkish sultan been captured- and it is a humiliation Slavism is justly proud of, after the rape of Greece and murder of Ferdinand - and the refusal by the sultan of German efforts to negotiate a peace and avoid further bloodshed.
French troops bombard Ottoman infantry positions, during the Relief of Athens
Today, allied troops have reopened the artery of international trade that is the Bosphuran Straits. Today, the Bulgarian Tsar is avenged, with his children. Today, Greece and the Balkans are saved from the Turkic hordes. As peace negotiations begin, peace negotiations where Russia must seek a just peace from this war, it is worth contemplating the temporary madness of the Mohammedan House of Osman - and for evidence of God's grace in the end of his Machiavellian attempt to divide Europe, enslave Greece, and spark a Russo-Austrian war that might well have engulfed Europe - and perhaps the world - in flames.
News from the Russian Empire and the wider world brought to the subjects of His Imperial Majesty Nikolai II, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias. Published twice-daily in Saint Petersburg, with an illustrated supplement in print weekly.
Novoye Vremya - New Times - July 1st, 1900
Illustrated Special Edition: The Ottoman WarFrom the the Baltic provinces to the Manchurian steppe, the Russian Empire continues to rejoice at the spectacular victories won by the Empire and her allies in the Ottoman War. From the youngest colonies on the Central Asian frontier, to the oldest and mightiest cities of European Russia, all are united in devotion to the Tsar and his armies, as Constantinople is finally liberated from the Turk. Churches and cathedrals have never before been so full, as hymn singing and general thanksgiving spills out onto the streets. From the Atlantic to the Aegean, Europe rejoices.
The Tsar inspects the veterans of the Life-Guards Semyonovsky Regiment, and Serbian soldiers, in Constantinople
The Thracian Campaign of 1899-1900 is the climax of the Holy Mission of the Russian and Slavic people, which began centuries ago with the fall of the city of Constantine to Mehmet's horde. Two Romes had fallen, but, thanks to the piety of all the Russias, a third - Moscow - stood fast through the ages. Now, as we enter the twentieth century, she has repaid her sister-city by liberating an ancient capital of the Christian world, and Slav armies have expelled the heathen Turk from Christian Europe.
The Imperial Army stands on the cusp of liberating too the trade and commerce of south-eastern Europe from the shackles of uncertain Turkish policy and instability. The benefits to maritime security for all Black Sea nations cannot be understated, and it may mark an end to serious naval rivalry in the Black Sea region. Yet the allied forces also stand on the cusp of liberating the Armenian people from the dangerous and oppressive Ottoman regime - which over the past twenty five years has led to the murder of thousands of Armenian civilians, in breach of international treaties and civilised conduct.
After the greatest victory for European civilisation in the region since the Relief of Vienna in 1683, the Novoye Vremya looks at five key battles in the war over the past six months, up until the warmongering tyrant Abdul Hamid the Mad was captured by soldiers and sailors of the Slav alliance. We hope our readers shall find the tales of the bravery of all soldiers and sailors therein as inspiring role models in the building of the peace and prosperity we now must strive for.
March 30th: Battle of AdrianopleAfter the lightning advances of the Russian and Bulgarian armies into Thrace in the winter of 1899, and the simultaneous defeat of the Ottoman fleet in the Black Sea, battles between the Slav and Turkish forces continued throughout the end of the year. Having decisively defeated the sultan's crack troops in battle through the winter, Russo-Bulgarian troops began to encircle the fortress city of Adrianople. As supply lines became stretched by the cold weather and difficult terrain, this gave the Turk the chance to launch a notable - if ultimately foolhardy - offensive in March 1900.
A photo first published by this paper, that has come to symbolise pan-Slav unity in the war. Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian troops pose together following the capture of Adrianople.
Tens of thousands of young, inexperienced Ottoman conscripts were given barely operable rifles and sent into the bloody Battle of Adrianople, freshly drafted and little knowing the conditions they would face. Though initially making some headway, they were beaten back as the superiority of Slav morale, fighting elan, and technology told. The subsequent collapse of the Turkish army allowed the Slav armies, reinforced by crack Serbian units, to push all the way to the Straits and the defenses of Constantinople.
Adrianople itself is now finally back in Bulgar hands, to the joy of all Slavs. For who can forget the joyous sight of Bulgar, Serb, Montenegrin and Russian fighting side by side, and liberating an ancient city of emperors. If the battles of 1898 showed the superiority of Slav armies against the Ottomans, Adrianople was the true display of unity of purpose and spirit among the Slav combatants.
April 12th: Relief of AthensYet the Slavs alone did not win this war - and indeed, some of the most bitter fighting of the war took place among the rocks of Hellas. Though in the initial and unexpected invasion Turkish troops seized Athens by the summer of 1899, later that year European powers were to intervene. An Italian amphibious landing was successful enough that the Italian flag flew alongside the Greek over the Parthenon. To the south in the Peloponnese, French and British armies had landed and begun to push the Turks back by midsummer. Yet one of the most controversial battles of the war came to pass out of what should have been a speedy advance by Greek, French and British troops north towards Athens.
Turkish prisoners outside the Greek capital
Instead, Italian troops were subject to a harrowing siege for some weeks - bravely holding out while command and supply issues stopped the relief effort from getting underway. Despite superior Turk numbers and heavier artillery being available to the Ottomans, the Italians defended Athens with supreme courage. Though Western papers are filled with opinion columns on the subsequent fallout between Rome, Paris and London, few can deny that Italy's soldiers accorded themselves well in the fight. When France, Britain and Greece came to their relief - and the Serbo-Montenegrin advance from the north cut off any hope of Turkish retreat - the end of the Greek Campaign was a total victory for allied troops.
April 22nd: The Capture of BaghdadIt was not in Europe alone that the war was won, however - with both the Caucasus Campaign, and the Mesopotamian Campaign, drawing valuable Turkish troops away from the Greek and Thracian front. Persia, with support from the Russian Empire, proved herself a valuable friend to the Allies - securing both Mosul and Basra by the new century. Just as the Armenian frontier ensured the Ottomans were unable to concentrate their forces in any one area, so too did the Shah's troops, supported by Russian advisors, pin down many Turk soldiers.
Persian troops, watched by Arab civilians, enter the city of Baghdad after routing the Ottoman garrison
The capture of Baghdad represented a vindication of Persian diplomatic and military efforts to involve herself in the intervention against the Turk - who has in the past subjected Persia too to many humiliations. By the end of April, all of Mesopotamia had been taken by Persian units, with Russian officers present commenting on the swift disintegration of Ottoman resistance surrounding Baghdad, despite initial skirmishes.
May 3rd: Liberation of SalonikaBy May, the situation in the Thracian Theatre had turned into a full-scale rout of all remaining Turkish units outwith Constantinople, which came under siege. One other lone bastion which stood besieged for several days was to be Salonika. Strategically located on the Aegean Coast, it was to prove a valiant last stand for several regiments of the Ottoman Army. They could not stand against Slav might for long, however, as the Bulgarian Army entered the city on the 3rd, many of the city's ethnic Turks fleeing by sea to Anatolia as the city was liberated.
Bulgarian troops enter Salonika as the populace watch on.
May 29th: Capture of ConstantinopleThe final act in the Ottoman War however was to be the recapture of Constantinople from the House of Osman, and the delivering of the heir of Mehmet into Russian captivity as he fled across the Straits on a fishing skiff - only to be captured by the Dvenadsat Apostolov.
The city of Constantine, the second Rome, liberated at last as the Imperial Black Sea Fleet lies anchored.
Early May saw the arrival of Russian, Serbian and Bulgarian troops on the shores of the Sea of Marmara, the Turks fleeing before them. However, the rout was to be short lived, as the Sultan rallied his troops by the whip, and the city settled in for several weeks of siege and bombardment. The Imperial Black Sea Fleet was to play a crucial role in destroying coastal batteries and bombarding fortifications ashore; several units pioneered landing via torpedo boat to sabotage communications and supplies as the noose tightened on the city the Turk thought his by right of conquest.
On the 19th of May, Cossack cavalry began the assault itself, taking the final Turkish fortified line outside the city - a bare collection of trenches and wooden barriers. What followed was a week of house-to-house fighting, but the outcome was never in doubt so long as Turk reinforcements were an impossibility.
Few Slavs will ever forget the united army of our race driving the Ottomans into the sea. Nor shall any Slav forget the name of the Dvenadsat Apostolov - the vessel which, by chance and fortuitous planning, was to seize a skiff that fled the city on the 29th, as the last Ottoman soldiers abandoned their posts and surrendered. Aboard was none other than the Sultan himself - and the tale of his humiliation carries far and wide the prestige of the Russian Empire, the Slav people, and the united realms of Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro. The Tsar Nicholas II shall surely be remembered as he who fulfilled the destiny of Russia, in bringing the dreams of Peter, Catherine, and all the Tsars to fruition in union with our Slavic brothers.
Боже, Царя храни!
