New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-14
FROM THE CRIsIEA.

The news by the Atlantic is full of successes
gained by the Allies in tho Crimea. The British
journals fairly throb with exultatiOn; and the
British public, long respondent and hopeless Of
any profitable result from the present campaign,
have suddenly regained the most joyous conf
dence. In imagination they behold the Crimea
already conquered, SevastOpol laid in ruins,
Russia suing for peace on any terms, and the
war as brought to triumphant and glorious ter
minatOn. Let US see how far these anticipa-
lions are justified by the facts.
First among the events which have thus re-
versed the current Of public feeling in Western
Europe is the occupation of Kertch and the Sea
Of Azof by the allied naval and land forces.
This was all accomplished without any show of
opposition on the part of the Russians. Neither
at Kertch nor at Arabat were there any con-
siderable Notifications or other means of resist
ing an attack. Indeed, with our present informa-
top it is difficult to understand how the Russians
could have neglected to fortify places of such
Importance, and so exposed as these were.
The loss is certainly serious blow to them.
Not only is it accompanied by the destruction
or capture Of great quantity Of provisions and
other stores as well as Of all their vessels in the
sea of Azof, but it cuts off the channel on which
they have mainly relied for supplies. Henceforth
they must draw everything of that nature, be-
yond what is furnished from the Crmea itself,
by the more remote route Of Perekop, or the
road across the Sivash shadows. This will Of
course be great Inconvenience, but that it will
at once reduce the Russian army to famine or
force them to surrender is not so certain.
The British journals pronounce this affair to
be glorious In ordinary war glory is acquired
by overcoming resistance and accomplishing an
end in the face of overwhelming difficulties and
dangers. But since this Crimean campaign be-
gan many old notions have been unearned, and
many new ones have got an entrance into mems
minds. Among the latter is the glory Of leading
10000 troops against place with neither men
nor forts to defend it, and actually succeeding in
its capture. To onrjudgmcnt, on the other hand,
the selfgra'ulations at this exploit in the sea Of
Azoff should rather be drowned in shame at its
not having been consummated months ago. Why
have the Russians been allowed to hold undis-
turbed possession of the straits of that sea till
nowi Why was no step ever taken to prevent
their using the sea for the transportation of re-
endorsements and supplies Why has no part of
the allied feet ever been sent there to inter-
ruYt the communications, clear the sea Of every
Russian vessel, and hold every port in block
ade? 1t is striking Illustration Of the
imbecility which has marked the prosecu-
ton Of this war on the part of the Allies
that so obvious so advantageous. and 70 easy
a measure, for which with their great namber
of ships they have constantly had the means,
should never have been undertaken before. 1t
is true that il has not before been possible for
them to spare 5000 soldiers to garrison Kerteh
and Arabat; but that was not necessary; Few
vessels and gunboats might have cut of the Ras-
sian communications quite as effectively with
ont these esrrisons as with them. Nor Is il By
any means clear that the Allies can even now