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Show Crimean Coast Is Soviet Playground the capital of Ills Bosporan kingdom until Julius Caesar declared it a Roman province. Following destructive destruc-tive raids by Huns and Goths, Venice and Genoa fought for possession posses-sion of the Important harbor cities, and finally came the Tatars to stay. 'Seventy-five years after Russia won the Crimea frnrr Turkey she was forced to defend It against the allied forces of England, France, and Turkey in one of the most futile fu-tile wars in history the Crimean war (1853 to 1856). Sevastopol remembers re-members other bloody battles of more recent years. In the revolution revolu-tion of 1U05 Sevastopol harbor was the scene of the mutiny of the Black sea fleet, and In the revolution revolu-tion of 1917 It witnessed hitter struggles between the reds and the whites." . Former Watering Place of Imperial Russia. Washington. The Crimean coast playground of royalty, bas become the most popular vacation land In Soviet Russia. It Is the Soviet Riviera. Along the southeast coast high mountains slope steeply to the shores of the Black sea. Rough peaks of the Yailadagh protect these shores from northern winds that sweep over the Inland steppes. Sea breezes are warm and gentle, spring follows autumn, and flowers bloom perpetually. "Many of the Crimean palaces of princes and grand dukes have been turned Into sanatoriums and rest houses for Soviet workers," says the National Geographic society. "They are supported by social insurance in-surance and public health funds, and are administered by the govern ment "Livadia. favorite estate of Tsar Alexander III, has become a vast convalescent home. The magnifi cent white palace and its adjacent buildings accommodate 1,500 patients pa-tients at a time. Workers from every part of the Union are sent for rest cures and special care. The shaded park, gardens, and terraces of the estate are on a hillside above Yalta, best known of Crimean resorts. re-sorts. Hothouse of Moscow. "Yalta with Its broad promenade, wide bathing beach, 'and gay cafes was the most fashionable watering place of imperial Russia. The sea baths, sun baths, and mud baths that attracted Petrograd nobility now are in even greater demand through the energetic Soviet cam palgn for public health. High mountains moun-tains surround the resort on three sides, making it a favorite center for climbing a Cannes and Cham-onix Cham-onix combined. "Leaving the cypress, magnolia, and mimosa of the coast, one climbs through luxuriant acres of fruit trees and vineyards. For centuries the Crimea has served Moscow as hothouse and wine cellar. Figs, olives, pomegranates, cherries, apples and pears are shipped to northern market? Crimean wine Is unexcelled. unex-celled. Two of the largest wine eel lars are at Massandra. a few miles from Yalta; one stores 375.000 gallons gal-lons and the other 2.000,000 bottles. "The higher mountain slopes are forested with pine and birch and fir. Here, 1,800 feet above Yalta, Is Do-lossy Do-lossy Soviet tuberculosis sanatorium. sanato-rium. Between 800 and 500 patients are In residence summer and winter. "An excellent motor road connects con-nects Yalta with neighboring resorts along the coast To the east are Artek. where there Is a large camp for Young Pioneers (the Boy Scouts of Russia), and Sudak, famous Genoese citadel of the Thirteenth century. Endless Warfare "Still farther east are the ancient cities of Kerch and Theodosia, stern fortresses of Greece and Rome. Since the dawn of history a succession of conquering peoples have occupied the little peninsula, no larger than Vermont Wealth of natural resources, re-sources, safe harbors, and a strategic strate-gic position on the great trade route between Europe and the Orient have doomed Crimea to endless warfare. "Scythian hordes conquered the ancient Cimmerians. Greek colonists colo-nists dotted the shores with their cities, and Mithrldates made Kerch |