The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-23
THE STRENGTH OF THE TURKS.
seventy millions OF Mussuinians thar mn
Gather Around the Sultan.

Prom ne World.
Yesterday a reporter of the World had
an interview with an American who now holds
prominent position In the Turkish army. He
said " They have Ia the field to-day 100000
men. The regular cavalry consists Of 10000
horse. and the artillery number 1000 men. The
rest are infantry. All are fully aud thoroughly
equipped, aud with the most modern pieces.
The sneider gun was formerly the regu alton
arm. but IL l. now being changed Tor the Martini
Henry aud the SneiceTs are given TO the
militia and newlv-onrolled troops. The infantry
have the Mortini-lienry; also, the Wiuches.
ter lille and the latest pattern in feNOlyers and
swords or sword-bayonets. the cavalry have the
same. breech-loadlng carbines and revolvers
The field batteries are supplied with Krupps
twelve-pounder breech-loading. also with the
Broadwell guns OF the samc caliDre Their
mountain batteries are very fine; they have the
backs of mules, and they are no contract mules
either. There ure also eighty Gatliu guns In the
army from the foundry OF Baeet Brothers at Vi
Where are their other equipments manufac-
"Most II not all their other heavy guns are OF
English make. A few Of their swords are of
domestic make, but most Of them German.
II WAS proposed to change the regulation gun
from sneidot to Martini Henry the contract was
eagerly sought after both by English aud Ameri-
G ~ manufacturers. but IL was secured here by
old Gov. q. l.. Winchester. President OF the
Winchester Repeating Rife Company Of New
=
furnished and the rest are under wav.
"Over 10000 nave been distributed. 20,0O0 being
In the hands of the artillery anu cavalry. A
man with thirteen charges at his disposal, with
out having To stop To reload. is pretty danger
Gus creature. Those repeating rifles are as
much superior To the ordinary breech-loader as
an ordinary breech loading gun IL to the old
mUzzle loading pieces.
What sort Of an engineer corps have thew"
"A large one aud good one. Most OF the en-
9ineers are Germans, especially the senior on.
Gers some OF the oldest came over with Won
Vol ~ no Ntt a1 all ha mill
tary lines, defences. ami roads IN the vicinity OF
Const utiuople. The Turks at first thought
seen the value OF some Of his work they made
him Chief Of the Typographical Department.
"uu now tneN ptttier uetnlan enRlheet 10 any
other, ana all OF his companions nave been adj
vanced one grade-a few OF them are Hungari-
ans The Artillery and Engineer Department Is
separate from the army and navy, something as
u used to be In England and It's head. the Grand
Master OF Artillery, is one of the Cabinet Minis
What IL the condition Of their navy"
consider II second only to that OF England
English build, and rs completely equipped as
any in the English service. mere are also about
eighty wooden SHIPS OF the line, all nrt class as
at least forty thousand seamen and marines"
l. tuis large force well discipneuf"
Yes, as well as any army III Europe, unless,
perhaps, you except the Germans You see
that al the age Of nineteen every man is Obliged
20 serve for six years In tho regular army with
the colors, ns thev call u. The regular army IL
called the Mizam. Af1er their slx years service
they are entitled TO a discharge, and are at.
tached to the kedif. Those belonging to the
nrst-class reserve. or Cables Of the Kcdif, are
obliged to serve two months each year IN the re-.
spectiye provinces to whioh they belong. They
are efficient az regulars, and supply the officers
and nom commissioned officers to the irregulars
or iashi Bazouks. Tho second class Hedif consists
OF the older veterans. or those who have been
retired from active service. They are on duty
only one month OF each year No Christians are
allowed TO serve In the armv they being EXEMPT
by the payment OF "A poll tax Of about a per
annum. The Turkish regiment consists OF 5000
men commanded by Mirali Bcy and II is
divided into three battalons of 1000 men. each
COMMANDED by a Bmba-he, rank equivalent
10 our major. You see that they are thoroughly
militar, people bv custom as well az by nature,
for thew have the 1gnt in them when they once
get aroused
what would be the result II some OF the
European powers should combine with Russia
that is. how would II affect other Mu-sulmansf r.
MANY OF the faith are now hocking to the aid
Of the TURKS from SYRIA. Birbary, Egypt aud
other countries. As soon as they arrive they
are placed IN camps OF instruction for a while,
then we'll equipped and sent to the front. And
II close pressed, so that the Sultan was Obliged
TO oring forth the green nag and the Prophet =
breeches from the mosque a. Constantine ole,
and make an appeal in the name OF the Prophet
and as his successor, all toe Muesulmans to a
man would gather around HIM. and would max.
no small Arnv as there are seventy millions OF
them IN India alouaf