The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-05-19

Its Importance to Turkey---It Capture
In the Crimean Wharf.-The Reason or
England's Hostility to Russia.

Yin WteS VI the Otn inst. assumes dil
adoltlonal importance from the report
OF the capture of Kars by the Russians:
twenty-five years ago this summer,
the Turks made their famous defense of
kars against the Russian army. The
place Is not represented as particularly
strong by nature, but it was defended by
sklllfully formed earth-works, and by
the indomitable yalor of its Ottoman
citizens and soldiers, led by an English
officer of distinguished courage and te-
nacity. In fact, the city ought not to
have been taken at all, and would not
have, been but for combination of
unfayorable circumstances. There was
an undoubted jealousy between the
higher Turkish officers and the English,
so that Omar Pasha's relief expedition,
which landed on the coast near Batoum,
was necessarily delayed. Then, the
allies were not in harmony as to the i'm
portance of assisting Turkey with
promptitude in defending her Asiatic
possessions, the French feeling very
naturally that this was a portion OF the
campaign especially affecting English in
terests in securing the access to India.
The British Foreign Office or the mill
! tary authorities betrayed also singular
Indifference or stupidity in support
ing Col. Williams and the Ottomans
in defending this outlying post. Kars
was taken finally by hunger, not
by assault. The garrison was fairly
starved out. Its loss was, naturally,
made the subject of endless recrimina-
ton and investigation by the British au-
thorities, and its glorious defense justly
gave Col Williams new historic title
and a place of honor at home. 1t was,
in fact, great disaster to the allies. The
capture made a far deeper impression on
Persia, the Circassians, and all the wild
tribes of Asia, than did the success Of
the allies at Sebastopol, or the final treaty
of Paris. Gen. Mouravieff was highly
honored by his government for his sue
cess, and the Russ; n name acquired a
brilliant eclat through Asia.
Kars is considered by the highest mil
itary authorities as the military key of
Asia Minor. Having possession of 1t,
the Russians will find comparatively
easy access south to Erzeroum, and then,
either capturing or masking this place,
they can descend into the fertile plains
of Trebizond, and take or destroy an
enormous quantity of the agricultural
wealth Of the Ottoman Empire, and
finally gain a foothold at Trebizond, or
some other point on the Black Sea. The
damage they could do to Turkey here
would be unreasonable. Whether they
could advance in this direction toward
Constantinople would depend on the
numbers which they have concentrated
! between the Caucasus and Ararat. They
could certainly advance through Arme-
MIA, supporting the army on the country,
and not requiring the assistance OF a
! feet, as would an advance over the Bal
kans. 1t is not probable, however, that
the Gar has been able to mass sufficient
forces in those bleak mountains to VEN
ture on 50 great an enterprise as a march
to the Golden Horn.
There is evidently heavy fighting near
Kars, but the Ottomans should be able
even without English officers to hold on
for many weeks yet, and it is not a place
which can be passed in an ordinary
march. The Russians, whether from
superior strategy or better soldiers, are
nearly uniformly successful on this from
tier. We shall undoubtedly hear OF
Russian victories among these mountains.
The struggle in Asia Minor will make
much deeper impression in England than
the contest of larger armies on the
Danube. Indeed, it may be that the
dreaded success of the Muscovites
in the region between the Black
and the Caspian Seas, is what is now
turning British sympathy against Russia.
The British and Russian lines of frontier
on the side of the HindOo-kush, near the
sources OF the Oxus, are, practically, only
$50 miles apart. But it is not here that
the great danger of collision lies. The
advance Of the Muscovites in this region
must be through a country of deserts,
frightful ravines, and barren mountains.
1t could only be made effectively when a
railroad had been constructed over the
steppes and through the winding valleys
in their rear Such an attack must be
far distant. But an alliance of Russia
with Persia, and an approach from
that side through Afghanistan,
would be far different in its dangers to
India. The movements now OF the
Cars forces on the Persian border and
the opening campaign in Asia, which
seems made in understanding with the
Shah, are full of perils to England's
future This explains the new temper
of the British press and the House of
Commons. Should England be thrown
into the war, it is here that Russia
would doubtless endeavor to deliver her
heaviest blow, and seek to arouse all
tribes and nations bordering on India,
and force back the British frontier, and
to awaken again the rebellious spirit
which slumbers, but is not dead, III that
vast Empire.
THE minister dropped in very suddenly
at Deacon Ophiltree's, and found that
excellent gentleman sitting at a table