, 1877-06-09
THE WsR IN THE CAUCASUS.
Some Account Of ti,e Cireas>isn str''ss-
gle Against Russia.

ef son The great Shamyl, 10 the Oaa
casus recalls the most striking phase
of the Russians to the lands just TO
the south of them. IN this Esarch
The brave and hardy Circassiaus have
always been the lions in their
lath OF a most romantic history, IN
which The names OF Promelheus, Deu
Gallon. Pyrrha. tie Argonauts, SeSos
iris and the Egyptians, the Scythians,
Muhridales, Pompcy and Trajan, The
Arab., T<r,ar, and Turkomans figure,
Circassia, in 1905, ovtrihrew tie rule
of the Khans OF The Crimea and be
came the allies of The Turkish Sultan.
In 1879 the CiTcBssiaHs were declared
independent, bat they have always Re \
tained an affection for their old mas
tiers la I7Sl Russia acquired the
Krban border, ard Tor eighty years
Afterwards waged a warfare ON the
bold mOuniaineers whose heroic strug
Giles 10 maintain their freedom are not
excellp,i in The history of any people
In 1881 the Turks built the fortress OF
Anapa, and thence inciied the Circas
slams to instruction against the Rus
SLAMS.
The fortress was captured by the
Russians IN 1907, but five years later,
by the treaty Of Bucharest, was re-
stored 10 the Turks, who availed them
selves of The peace that followed 10
convert the CircAs>iaDs 10 lslamism.
In 1929 ADapa again fell into the
hands OF the Russians, and with it the
country. The Circas>iaLs, however,
refused 10 recognize The ceSsion, and
then began the struggle which has
made them famous and gave 20 the
world one Of lis greatest leaders
Saamyl, the father Of The young man
whom the Turks row propose to send
to his native land to stir up his couu-
trymeE against their historic enemies
and oppres-orS. Shauyl the elder was
born about 1881 and died at Medina,
Arabia, in 1871. He first appears ill
1924 as a subordinate in a religious
war against the northern infiels. In
1884 ne became leader and organ
lzed his grand warfare against Russia,
which lasted for nearly thirty years.
HIS first victory was oyer General I've
Itch, in 1899, at Akulgo.
His forces were supposed to be
crushed aud himself killed, but he re-
appeared seen aIterward and renewed
the Struggle. The fighting at AkuIgo
was of the most desperate character,
and for three DAYS The coutlIcl was
hand to hand. After five wears OF
guerilla warfare the Gar Nicholas
sent large army into the country,
which Shamy. opposed with one OF
eqnai numbers The Russian cam
paign was iol.ed and pew plan OF
action was introduced against the
brave monntaineeJs. All attempt 10
bring them 10 pitched battle, III
which they had shown themselves The
equals, il nOt the superiors, of the
Russians, were abandoned and de-
iachmento sent against isolated spots,
Wherever footing Was ob:aIned,
there a fort was erected. But This plan
also failed. The CircasSians kept up
their offensive operations. and III 1916
they swept the chain of Russian torIs
and returned 10 their mountains laden
with p!under. This victory was re
pea ed in 1913 and 1860, and in 1858
they drove the Russians back from
elgnt leagues OF territory. During the
Crimean war Russia had her han l.
tull elsewhere, and Shamyl was IN
active. As soon as the treaty OF Pa :
is WAS $ gned the Gar reopenei tie
war. Shamyl held cut heroica ly for
three Years. but the capture of Eeden
in April, 1859, virtually decided the
contest Shamyi retired 10 the noun
tain fAstness oi Ghunib, near the Cas-
plan sea. Here, on September 6th, al
ter one of the most desperate conf Cts
OF history, he was foI cej 10 ,arrender,
and carried prisoner 10 Moscow and
ST. Petersburg. With this ba tie ali
active efforts 10 maintain the lnde-
pendence OF Ci;cassia ceased. Shamyl
was treated with distinguished cour,e-
sy by the Gar, who settled a pension
of 10000 roub!es upon him.
In 1870 The o,d hero repaired TO the
shrine of Mahome;, where he died lie
following year. Although subject 10
Russia the Clrcassiaus have not aban
1oued their hopes of freeing their
country with the assistance Of their
old allies, The Turks. In 1856 thev
sent deputation TO Constaniinople
imploring the Sultan's protection; in
1862 deputation arrived in London
ami presented petition TO the Queen
protesting against Russian rule and
the right Of Turkey 10 cede their
country as she had done peariy thirty
years before; and in 1863, during a
visit of tie Gar Alexander IL. TO the
Caucasus, a delegation Of Cireassians
waited upon him. praying to be left ip
possession of their country and prom
islng TO live on terms OF peace and
amity with the Russians. The Emper-
or relasPl. and offered Them ;he alter.
native Of war or emigration. The
nountaineers chose The former. but
their great leader was, indeed, sadly
missed, and after a years fighting
they submitted, and there was e great
emigration of about 100000 persons
10 Turkey. The C;rcassians yet re
naming in The Caucasus are sill! dis
con;enied and ripe for revolution, and
Ii Young Shamyl have but halt the
heart OF his father. the Russian armies