Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-30
GATE Of THE GORGE
VIadikavkas, "the Master of
the Caucasus"
TYPICAL RUSSIAN CITY
Commands the Approaches to the
Darrell Pass.
PROPOSED LINE TO TIFLIS
Mtskheta, Ancient Capital Of Geor-
gia, Said to Have Been Founded
by Direct Descendant Of Noah.

| Oy Urect DESCENDANT or Moan.
By WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
| Special Correspondence OF The Star and III,
| Chicago Record Herald.
| VLADIkAvkAS, Caucasus,
| July 20. 1910.
midst Of a wide prairie which reminded
| us more than ever Of North Dakota, ard
we saw what looked like American reap.
| ers In the fields, and heard their music
| above the noise OF the train. Much OF
the harvest work was being done by
women, which isn't the Dakota way. but
the men are in the army and somebody
| must reap the grain.
Another thing equally unlike North
Dakota is that the conductor and porter
| Of the train wear big revolvers ct their
| belts. one on either side. which look
like business. and suspended from their
belts behind them are round leather
scabbards like cylinders, into which
something is thrust that looks like a
policeman's club We discovered after
ward that they are signal flags. tightly
rolled and always within reach.
The train turned westward later in the
day to run for many miles along the
foot Of the mountains, and at a nand-
some stone station that might easily be
mistaken for an armory we changed to
a branch line for the city OF Vladikav-
Of the only two pathways through the
Caucasus.
Typical Russian City.
Vladikavkas is a typical Russian city.
1t was founded In 17S5 by Prince Potem-
kin by direction OF Catherine the Great,
upon the site Of a native village called
kapoukaya, which means the Gate of
the Gorge" At that time 1t was OF
considerable Importance to the Russians
as post OF defense against the rebellious
mountain tribes. and II has grown into
busy, busting. commercial city. with
a rich agricultural territory to support
II, and is q depot OF military supplies for
the entire Caucasus.
The name is spelled several ways
Naldicaucasus, Vladicaukas and other
wise. according to the nationality OF the
spefler. but each of the versions has the
same meaning, and that Is THE Master
Of the Caucasus" for its garrisons COM
mand and protect the Darrell pass and
the military road which was built through
its gorges to Tifiis by the Russians half
century ago. Considered from a mill
tary standpoint, there is no more I'm
portant highway in the world, and when
the next war between Russia and Turkey
occurs. within the next ten years. a con-
tinual procession of troops and wagons
loaded with ammunition and military
supplies will be passing down to Armenia
and Asia Minor through its narrow de-
files.
vladikavkas has fine, broad streets.
which. however. are either very dusty or
out. at right angles and planted with
poplars. and the main street, which Is
16O feet wide. has a promenade in the
center for the entire distance, shaded by
two rows of trees on both sides and wa
tered by dashing streams that flow
through the cutters. Booths for the sale
Of tea and beer, catch-penny shows, seats
for the weary. bandstands and kiosks
occur at frequent intervals, and in the
lang twilight of the summer evenings all
the people i'm the town come out to prom
enade up and down this pleasant way, 10
listen to the military band. to greet one
another and gossip, and to learn what Is
going on in their little world.
Chiefly 0ne-story Houses.
An electric car line reaches every cor
ner of the city. which is a great con-
venience because. like all provincial
towns in Russia, vladikavkas covers an
enormous area. The houses are chiefly
OF single story. built Of stone around
a courtyard and occupy large spaces. The
shops are filled with attractive stocks oil
merchandise, and there are several large
warehouses in which all kinds OF agri-
cultural machinery are offered for sale
Nearly all Of IL comes from the United
States, although the International Har-
vester Company of Chicago, believe, Is
the only institution having an establish
ment OF its own here.
The official residence of the governor
general. city hall OF fantastic oriental
architecture and a Russian cathedral
| with five green domes are the most
conspicuous buildings, except the bar
racks and military hospital Just out
side of the city Is an immense military
school. accommodating 500 cadets and a
hospital for sick soldiers. almost az
large. Nearly every other man you meet
on the street wears a military uniform
and the dining room at the hotel looks
like an officers mess at headquarters. for
most of the tables are occupied by
colonies and generals and favored gentle
men of the stan.
These signs illustrate the Importance
of vladikavkas to the Russian govern
ment, and. although the car Is or
friendly terms with everybody just Al
present. the preparations for war do no,
seem to be suspended.
In addition to commanding the ap-
proaches to the Darrell pass. Vladikavkas
| is also the northern terminus of the
Manissor pass, the only other highway
over the Caucasus. and is connected with
the ancient city OF Kutias over what Ii
known as the Ossetian road. The dis
lance Is longer and the grades are
heavier than those Of the Darrell pass, blu,
\ IL is the shortest route to Batoum anC
the Black sea. for that reason Is OF the
greatest Importance.
valor Of a Soldier Perpetuated.
Both OF these passes are heavily forti
fed. and numerous monuments have
been erected along the way TO mari
spots OF historic importance and to IN
spire the army with heroic and pa.
triotic feelings. One of the monuments
i is in honor of a private soldier.
/ In 1910, during an uprising OF the Cir.
/ cassians. the Mihailovosky fort. abou,
/ half way through the pass. was gar.
risoned by a detachment of the 18th Reg.
/ iment OF Russian infantry. under com.
| mand of Capt Like Being besieged
by the rebels. and short OF provisions
/ and ammunition, he decided to blow VI
\ the place at the next assault The re.
/ naming powder was converted into q
a