Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-09-21
Translated from the French Of the Courier Des Etas nis

Kars and Erzeroum.
The interest that warike operations in Asia vii
soon possess, renders some description of the ahov
cities necessary, they are the pivot of these ie
movements.
The city of Kars is situated on the mountain chail
of Arpa in Asiatic Turkey, about l65 miles north
cast of Erzeroum. 1t was once walled town, tho
many OF its principal monuments, the Armenian
churches and its CITADEL in ruins
Before the present war, the town of ErZeroum wa
hardly known, or it's geographical position determin
ed. The military position has now, however, at
traced general attention, it is central point fol
the ottoman troops There meet not only corps from
different parts of Asia Minor and Syria, but those
also from Constantinople by the way of Tiebisond
and from hence they are distributed to the army d
visions at Ardahan, kars, and Bayazid. ErZeroun
itself Is commanded by double-walled citadel, but
this is likewise overlooked by the neighboring hills
which greatly diminish its strength. 1t was built
before the invention of artillery. In the Russian
invasion of ls28-'29, Erzaroum surrendered to Pas
! iaTiteh the first chUl.
1t is supposed that these Notifications the work
| OF the Gen9Se, when that commercial people had
obtained from the Armenian Princes permission to
protect their with the Indies through Tre-
bizond, Erzeroum, Tabris. Ispahan, &c, by perma-
nent works Throughout this country there still ex-
lists, though in more less decay, the remains OF
khans, roads, orts and other edces, all of cut stone
and OF such massive and imposing proportions, to
create great idea of the Importance of that COM
merce and the vast riches of its merchants. In the
centre there is massive brick tower, called the Tep
sac MlnHret; ii is covered by wooden roof in two
stages, terminating in a pagoda. This monument
once possessed clock which was constantly out of
order The Turks, deemng every European neces-
sarlly acquainted with clock making, forced every
passer-by TO undertake its repair; the Russians
finally carried it off to Tiis where it may still be
seen.
Among other noteworthy monuments, We must
mention the Tchifte Minaret, once a college, and
mil fol or hn ~
Saracenc architecture is very remarkable and of
elaborate finish. Around other very ancient
buildings; the mortar employed in their construc
ton was superior that arches deprived of their key
stones still to be seen, appearing, nowithstand
ing, yet 10 possess great solldlty
The population of ErZeroum may amount to 4O,-
OOO souls, of whom 10000 are Turks, 5000 Arme-
mans, 1000 Roman Catholics, 1000 Russian sub
Jects, principally Armenians, Georgians, and Jews)
1000 Persians, and a few Greeks. Erzeroum for
merly had far larger popuation but in 1922 at the
end of the war between Russia and Turkey, a great
number of Armenian families emigrated 10 the neigh
boring country of Georgia. either compelled 10 this
course, or msled by deceiful promises. These emf
grants at first enjoyed certain amount OF freedom,
fut after few years received the same consdera.
ton as the conquered provinces treated with. At
the present time, many of these Armenans would re-
turn to Turkey did not the fear of losing their Geor
gian property prevent them Ia fact this would re.
ally happen, besides which their families are ealously
The transit business of Persia which since 1880
has gwen wealth to TrebZond, its origin the
English before that time. northern Persia received
the manufactures of Enga land through India and the
Persian Gulf This transit commerce has since
steadily increased, but has doubtless attained It's
maximum of prosperity more than 5000 bales des-
tined for Persia principally English, passed through
Tribvona in 1850.
The English commerce with Erzeroum, formerly
wholesale, and in the hands of Europeans only, is
now extensively retail and in the hands of the ma
tives. This change is due to the facility with which
the country people, by means of steamers, pass to
Constanhnope to make their purchases. In this
way, without deraudng the customs, they can afford
TO sell cheaper than Europeans themselves The
principal articles of consumption English and
Swiss fabrics, lead, and bar iron tin, madder indigo
nut gals, and colonial products The exports are
furs pelts wool. taIIow, wax, tobacco, tragacanth
copper, and lead. The greater part of the skins
come from Georg ia, and sent TO ConstantinopIe
The wa has greatly interfeled with this trade be-
tween Georgia and Erzeroum The Russian govern
ment has kept vjgilant and Jealous eye upon the
advantages obtained by Turkey in this transit traffic
with Persia. More than Gnce she has endeavored TO
win it through Georgia by removing all mposls; but
the difficult handling at Redout Kali, the numerous
delays at her custom houses and the wretched state
OF the roads. Notwithstanding the three pei cent.
extra. has led 10 a unanimous preference of the old
route by Trebzond and Erzeroum. 1he customary
mode OF transport is the backs of horses asses.
mules, and camels Carriages only be used
about half the distance between Erzeroum and IRE
bizond