The speech has been followed by a decree mobilising the
divisions of the Russian army stationed in the south, mono- polising the service of the southern railways, and prohibiting the export of horses from Southern Russia. The stores necessary for a great army are being collected in the cities on the Black Sea, and the coast is being surveyed and carefully protected by General Todleben. A large fleet of transports is being collected in the Black Sea, and whispers are circulated of a coming descent on Varna. As yet, however, there are no signs that the Russian fleet in the Black Sea could prevent Hobart Pasha from inter- cepting any transports ; and the Russian Staff, if they have any plan of a descent, must be relying on aid not yet manifest to the world. Security in traversing the Black Sea is nearly essential for them, and it has not yet been obtained, at least to external appearance, though the Russian admirals may know of routes for their transports through the shallows along the west coast of the Black Sea beyond Hobart Pasha's reach. His ironclads want deep water.
