From the background of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878: the Russian-Romanian military Convention and the agreement with the partnership of Greger, Horvitz and Kogan

Abstract

The article reveals, based on published and archival documents, the reasons the Russian command of the Danube Army on the eve of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877–1878 concluded an agreement for the supply of food and fodder with the partnership of Greger, Horvitz and Kogan. The path of the Russian army to the theater of military operations on the right bank of the Danube passed through the territory of Romania. The draft of Russian-Romanian military convention was drawn up in November 1876, and the convention was signed on April 4 (16), 1877, just before the declaration of war on April 12 (24), 1877. The low capacity of the railways of the Principality prevented timely delivery of food and fodder from Russia. In the absence of a convention, it was impossible to publicly make purchases in Romania, to prepare warehouses officially and in advance. The Ministry of Finance of Russia allocated only credit rubles to cover expenses, and in Romania only hard money was in use. The Commander-in-chief believed that under such circumstances it was possible to arrange the provision of troops abroad only through the medium of private commission agents. The partnership of Greger, Horwitz and Kogan was chosen, since it had considerable capital, offered to supply the entire list of required products, not only its individual items, as indicated in the calls of other commission agents, and received payment in credit rubles, not gold. In addition, its members had a good business reputation.

Received: 14.05.2023.
Revised: 28.05.2023.
Accepted: 12.09.2023.

Citation
Frolova M. M. From the background of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878: the Russian-Romanian military Convention and the agreement with the partnership of Greger, Horvitz and Kogan // Slavic Almanac. 2023. No 3–4. P. 70–92 (in Russian). DOI: 10.31168/2073-5731.2023.3-4.04