Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-10-06
Turkish Soldiers i'm Asia

The correspondent of the Rep,sbiYle Fran
caiSe, writing from Trebizonde. gives an IN
teresting sketch OF the Turkish soldiers in
Asia. DE say ~ cannot too hghly express
the surprise and admiration with when the
brave Turkish troops have hlled me. Men
without any knowledge OF the handling of
modern arms, called away suddenly from
their agricultural or pastoral pursuits, have
been Iurhed in a few weeks into obedient,
patient, hardened soldiers, with sufficient
military education 10 make the Russians
turn back. such result is, indeed, 10 the
glory OF the instructors, who, on the whole
are almost as ignorant in army matters "a
their men. Military attaches are astouished
that Turkish army can exist without any
of The special services when are indls pensa-
bic 10 western armies. There is no head
commissariat and no p2ymasters; IL is true
that the latter would De siuecure, seeing
that The pay is regularly waiting. The neal
staff Is composed OF a chief and Two at
thCueS, fresh from the school OF Con-
sianIInC pie, and one secretary. The gem
erals OF division have only one abide camp;
the generals of brigade have none al All.
There is not stan officer capable of draw
Ing up typographical view. The staff was
fOI long II me without maps, and now th y
have copies OF the Russian APPS. For two
years The soldiers have not recei we'd q ftrsh-
ing; they are dTes sed in IA IS and have h t~tIy
any shoes 10 their Ie {; the mess is ms ali.
cient aud bad, aud when the dinner Is wan.
Ing several times running, the soldier, in
stead OF grumblIng, thanks the Sultan and
prays for him and his glory. The Imperial
guard is not better Off-at least, 10 ige from
the battalIoDs i lave seen; their uniforms
look ten years old. and are of all cuts ami
cOlors, as II they belonged TO the remnants
Of The armies OF Europe since the beginuing
of the century. On the other hand their arm
are i'll admirable condiuon-wen cleaned
and polished-aDd when the batLaliOns pass
by the sight of their we'll kept weapons
makes one forget ali about the ultra fantastic
uniforms of the men. You should see how
they drill with precision and rapidly. When
they 90 through the bayOnet exercise, which
is according TO French theory, it Is a pleas
ure TO watch their neat, quick, regular nOve-
ments, and The amour propTe which every
man displays TO execute with perfection the
commands of the chief. When they maneu-
Yer the word of command Is given by bus les
which they understand marvelously we'll.
Besides gun and bayonet, they have also a
sabre. You may reply that these soldiers
are old troops, long drilled at CONSTANT
nOple; that they are the pick OF the Turkish
forces. Nothing OF the sort; many of them
have been only six months In the ranks, but
The aptitude OF the Turk TO military exercises
Is such that that amount OF time is enough 10
make very presenta soldier. He loves
his arms, he takes care or them, studies
them, and exelts al his Intelligence to
understand their mechanism. The maueu-
veIs he Ii put through interest him, and
consequently he soon understands them.
Ills great defect Is marching badly In fife;
he likes long halts; but he must - ACCORDING
10 his humor. When they disembarksi here,
studied Inc physiOgnOmy OF all these sol
dleTs, ard 1 was struck with their sim pie,
Honest, and mild bearing. They are inca "a
bic OF committing tue abOntnatiOaS W IN
which the Turks are repro iched, and which
are the work OF the savage irregular Kuris
and Circasians, whom it Is q mis- AXE To
employ, for the majority Of them ara IiL for
nothing as soldiers"