Evening star., 1942-06-19
Struggle for Crimeo
Had Precedent in 1854
Writer Tells How Russia
Wos Attacked by Allies
Of Turkey SO Years Ago
By Bertrdn1 Benedict

By Bertram Benedict.
The Crimean peninsula of Russia ex-
tends several hundred miles south into
the Black Sea. It's eastern projection
tthe Kerch peninsula) juts across the
Sea Of Azov to point only several miles
from the Caucasus district of Russia.
Hence possession Of the Crimea might
be Of supreme strategic Importance to
Germany by affording easy access from
the west-much easier than access from
the north-to the Caucasus and thence
perhaps to Iran.
A railroad tapping the Black Sea ex-
tends along the Crimea to the mainland
of Russia. The most important mineral
resource OF the peninsula is iron. The
southern shore OF the Crimea, some
times called the Crimean Rivera, is
semi-tropical, and was a favorite re-
sort OF the Tsarist nobility. On the
Crimea Is the extensive Russian naval
base at Sebastopol. the loss of which
would mean loss of Russian control Of
the Black Sea.
Long before the Christian era the
Crimea was settled by Greek colonists.
Later 1t was overrun by the Goths, the
Huns, the Tatars. and in the 10th CEN
tury by Russian tribes. In the 18th
century came the Tartars under Genghis
Khan. Late in the 18th century the
Genoese established footholds on the
Crimea. to protect their trade with the
East via the Caspian and the Volga, and
they maintained themselves against at
tempts of the Venetians, their great
trade rivals. to expel them. In the latter
part Of the 18th century the Turks took
r ever. and made the Crimea q Turkish
province. Late In the 18th century the
Russians drove out the Turks, and the
Crimea has been part Of Russia ever
since 1873.
The major war which was fought In
the Crimea SO years ago, the first great
European war since Waterloo, was as
needless and inconclusive as 1t was
spectacular. On the surface 1t arose from
disputed Interpretation of treaties on the
right to protect Christians within Tur-
key. Russia claimed to be protector Of
Greek Christians under the Sultan, while
France claimed certain rights over the
holy places in Jerusalem. But under
the surface .Russias real aim was to abb
sorb the Ottoman Empire. which Gear
Nicholas I termed the Sick Man Of
Europe" or at least Constantinople
and the Dardanelles. AS for Great Brit
ain, Russian expansion southwark would
menace the road to India.
When in 1853 the Sultan rejected a
Russian demand on religious minorities
within Turkey, Russian troops crossed
the Danube into Turkish provinces in
the Balkans over which she held q
protectorate, Moldavia and Wallachia.
A Russian feet annihilated the Turkish
feet in the Black Sea OF Sinope. But in
1854 France and Britain Joined Turkey
in the war, and helped, the Turks to
drive out the Russian armies from
Moldavia and Wallachia.
There seemed to be no further cause
for hostilities, but the Allied forces felt
all dressed up with no place to 60, so
swung around through the Dardanelles
to attack the Crimea. Their main OBJ
jective was SebastopoL
The siege of Sebastopol lasted IL
months. At first the Allies did not COM
pletely surround the city, and for a time
1t received re-enforcements and sup
plies. Russian armies were defeated on
the Alma, at Balaklava CCharge of the
Light BrigadeD, and at Inkermann.
In the winter the Allied supply system
went to pieces. and both sides suffered
intensely from hunger and cold, as well
as from cholera. Finally the sufferings
of the British and French were alleviated
through the efforts of Florence Nightin-
gale.
The Russians had sunk ships across the
entrance to the harbor. frustrating a
bombardment from the sea. But in
September, 1855, the French took by as
sault the city and most Of the fortress.
CThe British assault at the same time
was checked. Neither side had any
more stomach for the war. and peace
was signed at Paris in March, 1856.
Turkey, admitted to the Concert Of
the European powers, was to protect its
Christian population; the Black Sea
was to be neutralized; the Danube was
to be opened to the commerce of all
nations; Russia lost her protectorate
over Moldavia and Wallachia, also Bes-
sarabia. But the Turks continued to
Cypress Christians, and during the
Franco-G German war of 1901 Russia
abrogated that part of the 1856 treaty
which neutralized the Black Sea. Even