, 1876-07-01
TURKEYS WAR RESOURCES,

.N.-....--....-
TURKEYS WAR RESOURCES
Wo havo in previousissuea Of TIE Tnmunp
given worry full aud exhaustive statements of
tho military resources Of the insurgout Turk
isl, provinces, sorvia, Bosnia, Herzegovina
Montenegro, aud Bulgaria. Tho Inter
province having declared its independence
must now bo counted among tho insurgents,
and will fight ill tho moro rosolutoly by rca-
son of the recent horrible cruelties inflicted
by tho Circassian demons whom tho Turks
turnod loose upon them. It becomes IN in-
terosting question now, Whit Is tho ability
Of Turkey to carry on war? Tho army of
Turkey comprises three classes Of troops
first, tho active army; second, tho reserve;
and thirdly, the "sedontary army." Tho
total military forces Of Turkey, exclusive of
the "sedontary army" which is not TT for
active work, nro set down at 100000 men.
This number includes, however, not only the
infantry, cavalry, and artillery which aro on
q war footing, but tho artillery in fortresacs,
engineers, detached corps in Gambia, Tiipoli,
and Tunfs, rosoryos, ,au1i1iaries, ndirrogulars.
Tho Turkish army haa long borne
tho reputation Of boing an army on paper for
tho benefit Of favoritos md contractors.
Well-informed correspondents Of the London
Times havo stated that 1t is doubtful whether
tho Turks have to-day in tho field over 1O0,-
GOO well-1ril1ed, reliable troops. The fleet Of
war is somewhat formidable, for tAo lato
Sultan had mania for iron-clads, md
mania also for spending tho money borrowed
OF England in building them, with no inten-
ton Of paying It back. England haa made
virtual present to Turkey Of 20 iron-clad
ships and 70 steamers, Tho iron-clads COM
prise frigates, 3 oorvettes, and gunboats,
while the stoan fleet is made up of 8 ships
Of tho limo, 8 figatos, 1t corvottes, and 55
dispatch and gunboats, tho principal ships
OF tho iron-clad fleet averaging 10l guns
The navy is mannod By 10000 sailors and
1000 marine troops. It Is therefore for
midable navy, but 1t must DO remembered
that it will not play an important part in a
war with the insurgents, unless tho
other Powers intervene, except as they
may Threaten Belgrade, somendria md
other sorvian towns along the limo Of tho
Danube. The bulk Of the fighting must be
done by tho aruy. As tho insu1rection ia
sproad over great atratoh Of territory, much
Of the warfare muat DO Of tho irregular guer-
rilla fashion, which fs always long and TO-
dious warfare. Tho decisive fighting must
occur between the main asmiea and tho com.
bined armios Of the insurgents will fully
oqual the Turkish army in numbers, material,
mud resources, and will be better ofacsrod, as
every prominent officer In tho seryiau army
IL Russian. Tho qoneral-in- Chief Is o
Rrsaian; and, in addition to this, q retired
hussan GoneEal supplies soryia with diplo-
macy aud strategy. There ia no doubt that
tho Turks will fight, and fight desperately,
for 1t Is ufo.and-doath struggle with them.
II tho Ohristiona are successful, 1t is tho cud
Of Moalemism in Europe, and the end OF tho
Turk, unless tho Turk will consent to occupy
his country a. tho sarf OF his former slaves
and tho subject OF tho "Ohristiau dogs"
But tho motives which actuato tho solayes
are Just as strong. The outrages md atroci-
tics which tho Turks have rorpetrated, thu
utter deso1atlon which Inns boan spread all
ovor their country, and tho wanton and gra-
tuitously cruel mannor In which tho Turks
havo terrorized over them, hsyo at last driven
thom to that pitch Of desperation where
death la preferable to longer endurance. In
addition to this, they know that they go into
this struggle not only with the moral help of
Russia, but with the sympathy which grows
ont Of ordinary humanity OF tho whole civ
tlized world. II any nation In Europe has
an interest in tho SUCCESS Of Turkey, not
only to counteraot the ambitious designs Of
Russia, but also to secure hor own financial
interests, 1t is England, aud yet the London
Times eayss "Turkoy, however independ-
ont, ia leaning on European alliances, and on
what aympathies can abe reckon In England
or elsewhere, 80 long as by her deliberate
mode OF wagiug war against her own people |
ale puts herself outside the palo Of modern
oivilization7'
There arc internal obstacles to Turkish
SUCCESS which should also bo taken into con.
sideratlon. 1n the..arst place, Turkey ia hope.
lessly In debt The amount Of her foreign
debt contracted between 1854 and 1874 was
$924, ,o08,olb, which Ia exclusive Of nearly
three hundred millions Of English dabt,
neither principal nor interest Of which will
ever be paid. Nearly every one Of tho in
suEgeut provinces " out OF debt, and, OF
eourse, Inns ample credit. The Turks, 1t Ia
stated, are already fur In arrears, not only
for their purchases Of ammunition and sup
plies, but also Tor the payment OF thair