Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-06-21
The Present Condition of Turkey

IL was supposed that such sight as tens
oil thousands OF the braveSt troops of England
and France assembled from such vast dis
tances to defend her coasts, would have
aroused spirit of martial enthusiasm through
out the length and breadth of the Turkish
Empire. 1t was believed that Abdul Mediid
would emulate the valor of his ancestors, grid
on the war harness, and as Father of the
Faithful, preach a crusade against his ancient
enemies and oppressors, in which he would
himself take the chief and boldest part All
honor to the heroes of Silistria and to the
bravery Of the valiant renegade who inspires
with a spirit kindred to his own, the defend
ers OF Eupatoria; but he stands alone with
his army, the solitary spark of patriotism and
life betweenth Adriatic and Persia.
The Sultan has passively Yielded to the
encroachments of, Allies whom he fears and
hates; has battered the Cabinets who have
served him, AMI presented Arabian horses to
the monarchs of England, France and Sardi-
MIA; but ne has not adopted single indepen-
dent measure, nor displayed any desire to
participate in the responsibilities and dangers
which others have undertaken in his behalf
In the midst of military movements and
dlp'omatie aesotlations, the seraglio has con-
tinued SIS Ia days of yore, to be the scene of
palace iitriz,se,. and while thousands were
dying for hs thlone in the Crimea, he was re-
calling, br his tkmtiopsness. the darkest DAYS
OF the most unscrupuious Pashaiiks.
At the commencement of the present war,
the Turkish force, with its Egyptian contin-
gent, numbered 240,OOO men. OF this num-
Der, nearly one-half have been lost by the
fevers of the Danube and Balaklava, and the
reverses of the Asiatic generals; but while
Eng land and France have trebly replaced
their troops who had been destroyed by dis
ease and war, the Turkish conscriptions have
produced only 10000 raw, undisciplined
youths, to patch out the remnants of their ar
my. The short-lived enthusiasm of 1853 has
altogether vanished, and the aggregate of eff
feetive Turkish, Egyptian and Tunisian for
ces, amounts TO only 10000 men. Of this
number, A. 900 infantry and 5000 cavalry
and artillery have been transported from Var
ma and Bourgas To Eupatoria, under the COM
mand of Omar Pasha. These troops, too, are
elite of the whole Turkish army, and while
they add an imposing number to the Allied
forces in the Crimea, their absence leaves the
rest of the Empire nearly deprived of defense.
Ismal Pasha is computed to have from %, 900
to 10000 troops along the line of the Dannbe
and in the Bulgarian towns, but they could
offer no resistance whatever if the Principal
tiles were invaded.
The occupation of Moldavia and Walla-
CHA by the Austrians, is the only real bull
wark of the Porte beyond the Balkan, and
whatever may be the value of the Austrian
alliance in other respects, the declarations of
Lord Palmerston and Mr.. Gladstone are true,
that without their interposition, England and
France could scarcely have waged an aggres-
sive war; A third division of the Ottoman
army guards the vicinity of Constantinople.
1t is said to be composed of good soldiers, and
probably numbers about 20, 900 men, but the
regiments are continually shifted, and some of
them will probably be taken, though against
their own consent, to form part Of the con-
tingent under General Vivian. The Turkish
force in Asia is estimated at about 10000
sufficient number to accomplish something,
if it were fitly commanded. OF late, many
boasts have been made that it would assume
the offensive and attack the Russian strong
hold of Gumri but until it has redeemed
itself from the odium acquired by its cow
ardice, want Of discipline and subordination
last year. little good will he credited to it
Journal Of Commerce.