Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-12
Translated from the French of the Courier Des Etas
ITnia


/
The interest that warlike operations in asia viii
soon possess, renders some description of the
above cities necessary, as they are the pivot Of
| these field movements.
| The city Of Kara is situated on the mountain
| chain OF Arpa in Asiatic Turkey, about les miles
northeast of Erzeroum. II was once walled town
though many OF its principal monuments the Al
menan churches and its citadel, are now in ruins.
Before the present war; the town Of Erzcroum
was hardly known, or its geographical position de.
termined. The military positi ii has now, how.
ever, attracted general attention. as it is central
point Tor the Ottoman troops. There meet not only
corps IRON different parts Of Asia Minor and Syrit,
but those also from Constantnople by the way Of
Treblsond; and from hence they are distributed
70 the army divisions at Ardahan, Kars, and Baya-
cid. Erzeroum itself IL commanded by a doublt
walled citadel, but this is likewise overlooked IL
the neighboring hills which greatly diminish It's
'trength II was built before the invention of ar
tillery In the Russian invasion Of lS2S-'29, Erzs-
ronn surrendered to Pasiewitch at the first shot
IL is supposed that these Qualifications are the
work OF the Genoese, when that commercial peo
pie had obtained from the Armenian Princes per-
mission to protect their commerce with the Indies
through Trebizond, Fl zero,m Tabriz, Ispahan &c
by permanent works. Throughout this country
there still exists though in more or less decav Tho
remains Of khans, roads, forts, and other edfces.
all OF cut stone and OF such massive and imposing
proportions, as to create great idea of the mpor
'ance ol that commerce and the vast riches of its
merchants, In the centre there is massive brick
tower, called the Tepse Minarct; il is covered by
wooden rooi, in two stages, terminating in pa
goda. This monument once possessed clock
which was constantly out of order The Turks
deeming every European necessarily acquainted
with lcck making, forced every passer BY to un-
dertake its repair; the Russians finally carried it
oil 10 Tiiis, where il may still be seen.
Among other noteworthy monuments, we must
mention the Tchifte Minaret, cnce a college, and
now military storehouse. The entrance gate Of
Saracenic architecture is very remarkable and of
elaborate finish. Around are other very ancient
buildings; the mortar employed in their construc-
ton was 50 superior that arches deprived of their
keystones are still to be seen, appearing, notwith-
standing, yet to possess great solidity.
The population of Erzeroum may amount to
10000 souls, Of whom $4,000 are Turks, 5000
Armenians, 1000 Roman Catholics, 900 Russian
subjects, principally Armenians Georgians, and
Jews,) 1000 Persians, and few hundred Greck4.
Erzefoum formerly hal far lrger population, but
ia 1929, at the end of the war le,ween Rus ia and
Turkey, great number of Armenian families oau-
igrnted to the neigbboring country of Georgh,
either compelled TO this course ogmisled by d =
ceittul promises These emigrantSat first enjoyed
certain amount of freedom but after few years
received the same consideration (as the conquered
provinces are treated with. Atfhe present time
many of these Armenians would return to Turkey,
did not the fear Of losing tn, r Georgian properly
prevent them. In fact this would really happen
besides which, their families jealousy guarded
as hostages for their return.
The transit business OF Persia, which since 1880
has given wealth TO Trebizond, owes its origin to
tie English; before that time, northern Persia re-
ceiyed The manufactures Of England through India
and the Persian Gulf. This transit commerce has
~ a
tanned its maximum Of prosperity more than CO.
600 bales destined for Persia, principally English,
passed through Trebizond in 1850.
The English commerce with Erzeroum formerly
wholesale, and Ia the hands of Europeans only, is
now extensively retail and in the hands Of the
natives. This change is due 10 the facility with
which the country people, by means of steamers,
pass TO Constantinople TO make their purchases.
In this way, without defrauding the customs, they
can afford 10 sell cheaper than Europeans them
selves. The principal articles Of consumption are
English ard Swiss fabrics lead, and bar-iron, tin,
madder, indigo, nut gals, and colonial products.
The exports are fhrs, pelts, wool, tallow, wax,
tobacco, tagscanth, copper, and lead. The grealer
part OF the skins come from Georgia, and are sent
to Constantinope. The war has greatly interfered
with this trade between Georgia and Erzcroum
The Russian government has kept yigilant and
jealous eye upon the advantages obtained by Tui-
key in this transit traffic with Persia More than
oLce she has cndeavored TO win IL through Georgia
by removing all imposts; but the difficult landing
at Redout Kali, the numerous delays at her Gus
ton-houses, and the Wretched state Of the roads,
notwithstanding the three per cent extra las led
to a unanimous preference Of { old route by
Trebizond and Erzeroum. Tho customary mode
OF transport is on tie backs of horses, asses mules
and camels. Carriages can only be used about half
the distance between Efzeroum and Trcbzjnd
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