Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-09-10

But the compelling reason that led
the entente to make such stupendous
efforts and sacrifices to bring in Ru-
mania--that, led her for example to
the DETECTION of five hundred thou
sand men from the west front to Sa-
lonica in the hope of bringing into the
war . country with only five hundred
thousand soldiers Of uncertain value
Was without any question the neces-
sity to take Constantinople. II has
been felt ever since Turkey entered
the war that before the dawn OF vic
tory for the allies the straits must be
captured. This belief led to the rash
and ill-cunsidercd attempt to force
tho Dardanel'cs, first by sea power
and then by SIR Ian flamilt'n's heroic
but ill-futed army Germany also took
a most serious view of rhe importance
of ConstaGtinople, and her victory i'm
Serbia which opened a direct railway
line to the Bosporus was severe blow
to the entente.
The possession Of the straits is now
of even greater importance than in
1915, for the food problem in Europe
is becoming more serious and the war
has become more and more 10 depend
on superiority in munitions. The open
ing of the stra IT'S 20 the Russian wheat
crop will reduce the price of bread
i'm London. and help to settle the very
troublesome problem of Russian ex-
change and internal credit for Rus
sia's export trade Is almost IaralyZed.
or far more importance, II Will Ecr-
nit hundreds OF vessels laden with
cannon, rifles and shells to pass from
England. France and America to
Odessa and other Black sea ports.
TIL great problem for Russia. in her
effort next spring and summer to get
the German invaders off her soil, VIII
be to equip her men and overcome
the German superiority in guns and
shells. and with her inexhaustible mil
lions she can look forward to fair
prospect OF victory over the declining
numbers of Won Hindenburg If Con-
stantinople is taken. If not, the un-
satisfa ctory port OF Archangcl and the
distant harbor of Nladlvostok viii
again be coneeste with munitions
which cannot be moved fast enough to
meet the needs OF the armies The
additional munitions that could come
through the captured Dardanelles
might asily determine whether 1917
II to be another year Of deadlock on
the main eastern front or witness the
rout of the Germans.
Russia's Position.
So mucR for the material value Of
Constantinople to the allied cause. III
addition to this must Do remembered
the sent .nental longing Of Russia for
the city. which is political fact or
importance Hlav won CONSTANT
rople, Russia will feel that she has
won the war II only she can get the
Germans out Of her invaded PROVINCES
and Is likely to prove moderate In her
territorial demands elsewhere. There
has been talk OF a slow Russian prog
ross through Armenia and Asia Minor
which might eventually bring the
armies of Grand Duke Nicholas to the
Bosporus, but this has been ridiculed
by military men from the beginning.
a 1,26O mile march Of this description
In a country without railways and
with few roads. with the prospect OF
meeting a great Turkish army at its
close would be an impossibility. There
are only two ways to take CONSTANT
nople II the straits cannot be forced
by sea
one way leads through Rumania
and Bulgaria and was traverSed by the
Pussian armies in 1873. skobeloft.
camping within sight OF tho capital.
was forced to withdraw by British
fleet. Russia, with Rumanie on her