Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1878-03-07
THE DARpASELLEs AMI aAi-
LIPOLI.


LIrOlI.
The control OF the Dndanelles has
probably cost more bloodshsd in mod
srn Europe than any other ons subject.
and one Of the happiest results OF the
war Just closing has been to throw them
open to free navigation. thus giving to
every nation on the earth the privilege
which England has monopolized for
many years. The coming Conference
may, il IL true. refuse its sanction to the
clause Of the Treaty Of Constautinopls
which opens the Dardanslles. but II is
not probable. This ancient highway
from the Sea Of Marmora to the Archi-
pelago, Is to DO free in the future. and
English naval and commercial suprem-
acy has received the most terrific blow
sver inflicted upon 1t. Tho Dardanelles
have occupied so important q position
in the wars OF Europe. and been the
object Of 80 many graphing powers. that
. brief description Of the straits and
Gallipoli will not seem inappropriate at
At this time.
Dardanelies. the ancient Hsllespont.
Is the channel which separates Europe
from Asia. and unitss the Sea Of Mar
mora with the Grecian Archipelago. Its
direction IL from northeast to southwest;
its length about forty miles, and its
width varies from less than one mile to
fsur. A strong current runs through 1t
from the Sea Of Msrmora TO the Archi-
pelago. and to prevent tho advance OF
hostile fleets from the latter quarter
upon Constantinople. the channel il
strongly fortified on both sides. At the
southwestern opening there are two cas-
ties. one on the European and the other
on the Asiatic shore ; aud about eight
cen miles northeast Of these arc two
more, marking the sites OF ancient SEES
tos and Abydos. Between the two pairs
Of castles is a line Of modern fortified.
tons OF the most approved construction
and mounted with heavy guns. Oar
danslles has always played AN impor-
tant part in the history Of Europe and
Asia. Xsr,es crossed II by q bridge OF
boats $50 b. c.. to enter Europe, and
Alexander did the same. 393 ID. c.. Ia
enter Asia. Lsander-date not speci.
ded-swam II nightly to visit his sweet
heart. Hero. and finally persisted in
making the trip-whethsr from an sN'
cess Of love or an attack Of cramp has
never been definitely ascertained. LORD
Byron performed the same feat, and
lived to boast Of it.
Gallipoli. the peninsula, the ancient
Thraeian Chsnonesus. Is q portion o
the Province OF Rumili. in European
Turkey. aud separates the straits O
Dardanslles on the east from the Gul
Of Saros ON the west. Il extends In
southwest direction. and Is about O.
miles long and from four to thirteel
miles wide. G~allipoli. its most impor
tant town aud seaport. Is situated at tn
northeastern extremity Of the Dardan,
slles. 30 miles south Of Adrianople, AM
about $50 miles west-southwest OF Con
staniinople. Its defences. unless re-
Gently rebuilt. are OF no consequence,
The town itself. which contains a pop
ulaiion Of some 10000. Is e~xceedinRl,
u~nsttractive. but does q iiourishing bust
ness in corn. wine. oil. and variou,
other products OF the country. II u
also the residence Of o bishop Of th'
Greek Church. who divides the spiritun
sovereignty with the managers Of th'
MohAmnsdan mosques. Ia the vicinii,
are the remains Of magazines and cellar
built by the Emperor J~ustinian. Cali
poll 10 the Oldest Turkish possession II
Europe. having been taken by them il
1867. From thence. at their leisure
and as circumstances permitted. the,
advanced first TO the capture Of Adrian
opls. and aftsrward to Constantiuople
In a naval and military point Of view
the Dardanelles may bs considered o
equal Importance to the general intsres
Of the world: but the closing Of tn
Bosporus against a Russian fleet de
scending from the Black Sea is counter
balanced. apparently. by the shutting
Of the Dardsnelles against q lice,
in the Mediterranean Sea. belonging
either to Great Britain or to France,
Austria, or Italy, ~supposing any or al
Of these powers to DO at wal with Rus.
Il L.. ---- -