Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-15

keys maintenance in Asia. Il is now apparent
that Cyprus is too distant from the Oar aanelles
for immediate purposes of war, and hence the
vigorous preparations made nearer 10 the
straits
THE DEFENsEs OF THE STRAITS.
Mitylene, or Mytilene. was known 20 the
Greeks rs Lestos Sigri. spoken of in the die
patch. was the Sigrium OF the ancients. and 10
one OF the three prominent points Of the island.
Mitylene Is within twenty-five miles Of the
heilespont. has an area o: 2s6 square miles and
a population of 10000. Ii has good harbors
aud fertile soil. The principal towns are
Castro Cor Mitylone) and Molivo. Tenedos. ON
the other hand. though occupying much more
advantageous position. being 10 all intents aud
purposes at the actual entrance Of the Helles-
pont, Is only Ave miles in length and IL Of q
rugged, rocky nature.
The narrowest part OF the channel which
DIVIDES the island from the Mysian coast be-
tween the rrcmontory of Aigcnnum and the
town OF Assos, Is about eight miles wide. ON
the west isa deep gulf the port OF Calloni
where there Is splendid protection for shipping
Inc climate Is, perhaps. more delightful than
any other part OF the .Egean. The brcczes Of
the sea temper the heat of summer and the
winter is not severe.
STRAITS OF THE DARDASrLLrs.
In 1875. when it WAS thought that a rupture
between Russia and England was imminent. il
was seen that the regions between the Black
sea and the .fgean would be the theater Of the
threatened war. struggle between Russia
and England could not be a naval one eNclu-
sively, because the latter power has oyerwhelm-
lngly the better fleet
Fleets cannot Eght armies. but armies can
hight fleets by defending such narrow channels
as the Oar ianellos against them. Ii would DO
ucAllsh task fer an English admiral to force
his way northward 20 the Sea Of Marmora and
ConstantiDOpie through the nngyow straits Of
the Dardaneiles against Russian batteries on
shore. Considering the efficiency of the deadly
torpedo OF modern times il would be almost
an impossibility, and hence il is desirable that
advantageous spots in the neighborhood or il
possible right on the straits should be seized
by one or the other party.
TURKEY WITH RUSSIA.
IL Turkey should have some secret under
standing with Russia aud eventually come out
boldly on Eussia's side the attacking force, il
without any coign of vantage would be almost
helpless 10 accomplish an, thing in the BAR
daneles. The Russian and Turkish fleets could
come right out into the Mediterranean.
The hrst Turkish fort is on Cape Niagara
Borun, near Abydos, which marks the northern
end of the narrows OF the straits, and about
midway between Gi,llipoh and isesika bay.
There the defense Of the Dardanolles begins,
where the strait II less than one and a quarter
miles wide. The straits ut this point turn from
thefe soulhMCstWard To a southwark direction
FOR about three and a half miles. widening TO
the middle of that distance. but again con-
tracing IL with Mt Chanak or Koleh Sultanich
and hIiiod-Bahr, with their Castles of Oar
danciles. small towns on the Asiatic and Euro-
pean shores respectively.
COMMANDING SITUATION.
Between Niagara and Chauak is located fort
which looks toward the narrow passage at
Chanak and commands it completely. On
hephez point, separated from Chanak by the
lndentation in the shore line called Sari Siglar
bay, are two batteries that assist the more i'm
portant works of Chanak in guarding the APP
proaches from the southwark. Chanak renlly
commands the whole of tho southern DGrda-
nelles 10 the Igean sea and lie the central
point OF defense between hum kaleL, or the
new Castle of ASIA, at the southern entrance,
and Gaiiipoli,at the northen end OF the straits.
AL these forts are heavily armed.
The Turks have always regarded Gallipoli nc
the southern key to Constantinople. Ii is sit-
uated ON site projecting from the main shore
line Of the Upper Dardanelles and has seven
teen fathoms of water Immediately in front OF
the town. The straits opposite dallipol are
about four miles wide and open immed iat.lv
on the Sea of Marmora In the Crimean war
It was proved to have two defects-want of
water and want Of. timber-and TO the allies it
proved a most unhealthy spot