The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-21 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1855.

Large quantities of valuable stores have re-
cently been destroyed in the vicinity of the Sea
f Azoff.
.Stores which, if permitted to remain in
he hands of the Russians, would have materially
assisted in feeding their troops in the Crimea
during-the winter, and possibly led to the pro-
longation of the contest for at least another year.
Great gallantry and sound judgment were displayed
in the operations conducted by the officers and
men engaged in these transactions. But, unfor-
tunately, the operations have not been on a suffi-
ciently extensive scale. The supreme authorities
have not been by any means as energetic as the
parties actually engaged. The necessary permis-
sion has not been accorded to those who are only
panting for a suitable opportunity for distinguish-
ing themselves, and greatly serving their country.
The allied fleets long since obtained a complete
command over the Spit of Arabat, and thus closed
up a very important route, by which valuable re-
inforcements might have been conveyed into the
Crimea—but by some unaccountable neglect the
posterns of this very important avenue have been
allowed to remain in the hands of the enemy. We
might easily have hermetically sealed the channel
by taking possession of the point of entrance or of
exit by seizing on Genitchi or Arabat. By either
course we might have maintained our supremacy
at all seasons, and rendered the road itself per-
fectly useless to our opponents. But, unfortu-
nately, we remained contented with half measures.
We were satisfied with the certainty that nothing
could be conveyed across the spit while our war
cruisers remained in the neighbourhood. It,
however, seemed to be forgotten that, when the
frost has fairly .set in, our vessels will be utterly
useless, and that the important position, which
might so easily have been made our own, would
be restored to the enemy. In addition to this
grave oversight the Tchougar road, as well as
that by 'Perekop, were allowed to remain in their
hands without the slightest interruption, so that
great facilities were afforded to the enemy for
prolonging the
contest. All these matters
might, as we have repeatedly explained, have
been effected more than twelve months ago.
The same curse, however, still hangs
over our efforts. We are still
"too late," and
unless something be speedily effected we may
have abundant cause to lament our apathy and
indifference. It has not been for Want of due
warning. We can justly claim credit for having
pointed out these matters while there Was ample
time for arranging every plan and detail, and
carrying it into practical execution. However,
therefore, we may deplore the serious mistake, we
can refer with satisfaction to our own numerous
and emphatic warnings.
It was generally believed at the Allied Camps
that a vigorous effort would be made to retrieve
the error, and that an expedition would have
been organised against Kaffa, by means whereof
not only the command of Arabat, but of
the en tire peninsula
of Kertch, would
ave been placed in
our hands. This
bvious precaution
has, however, been disre-
ded, and the edition has not been de.