The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-29
THE TURKISH ARMY.
THE ARMY IN A TRANSITION AND I'M
ORGANIZED STATE.

characteristics Of the Leading Turkish
Generals and Statesmen.
! Especial Correspondence OF the Democrst.l
NEW York, July "a, 1877.
| Some days ago. gancing over hotel register.
saw well known English name, and following
IT, Capt FL. M. 14ih Hussars." This was a. gen.
teman whom wanted to see. I knew that ha
had been for some time ON leave from hjs repi-
ment, and that he had spent the greater part Of
MS fnrlough in Turkey, where he had been m
| work with other
ENGLISH OFFICERS REoRGAN1z1Sa THE suLTAH'x.
CAVALRY.
80 sent up my card.
Presently the colored fellow-c;tixap retur,od
bearing the intelligence that "de csp'n would bs
down In minute"
La perhaps two minutes the colored fellow
citizen said, "Dars dc cap'n in de readin' room
he's de gemman wild de grey close an white cap."
passed into the reading room and asked il had
the honor OF addressing Capt. H.
"Fhe same, sir. And may ask to what am
indebted for the honor OF your call? ?"
'WelI, sir, replied, 81 recognized your mama
as that OF British officer whose recent conneo-
tion with Turkish military administration was
known to me, and, being q Newspaper corre-
spondent-"
''oh, ah," interrupted the captain, q broad
British grin spreading over his round, ruddy
lace. Il see; you want to interview me. Well,
well, left the Turkish dominions nearly or quite
Six weeks ago. and here you hAve yesterdays
news from the Danube and Armenia in your own
morning papois, yon know"
Precisely" said /. "But my object In making
this incursion upon your privacy was to get quite
another sort OF information. To learn something
OF the administrative system OF the Turkish
army, it's personnel, and q dczsn other points
which military observer would be posted on.
but which escape the general run Of newsnaper
correspondents in the field."
"Ah, yes; comprehend. Have you ever seen
any military service? Yes9 Ahl Awl Then we
can understand each other. / am very glad 70
see you, sir. The Turks have been wofully mis-
represented in your country. am glad OF an
opportunity to speak word of truth in their be-
half to your people. Won't you walk up to my
apartments
My involuntary host was genial fellow, Ha
was 3 son Of a West OF England squire, and
about thirty-two years Of age, fully half of which
had been spent in the saddle-in the four ausr-
Australia and Turkey.
THE ENGLISH ARMY
breeds grand race OF men. Accustomed TO loox
upon the whole wsr.d as their empire, and upon
themselves as the garrison OF the globe; now
hunting tigers or Tartars in Central Asia; now
pursuing the lion or Kaffreman in South Africa:
and, again. backing in the smiles and the Injuries
OF the West End Of London; the young off Ger of
the British army is q favored being. One could
not help taking to this frank fearless fellow, with
his heavy-set figure, straight limbs, massive
shoulders, thick neck and square, fighting cad.
His full. smooth face was tanned by tropic suns
the color OF Russia leather, and beamed all over
with that pure good nature possible only to men
who live without care in the present, with no re-
gret for the past and no fear OF the future.
II held no stated position in the Tur kish
service, You KNOW" he began, as soon as we
we're seated in his rooms-whioh, by the way.
looked down upon Jay Gould's modest mansi on.
Just across the street. 1.-TWO years ago last
February got special leave from my regi-
ment and came home-that is to Englsnd-for
the first time since l went out to Australia, in
1851. You see, had served three years ia Ans
Sralis, two at the Cape and eight years in India.
without breathing spell, except short hu nting
urioughs. 30 got two years. leave, wit b six
months to report. During my last three 70 ars In
india, had been
INSTRUCTOR OF EQUITATIoN
u one OF the native cavalry depots, and had in
foauced quite new system Of biting and guild
rg horses which gave out good results in SER
ice. After had visited the cid home in Devon
hire went to Paris and Vienna At the latter
lace met some young Tnrks-cavairymen-
nd they insisted that should go home with
hem. went. Well you know, at that time
'nrkey was Ia OF reform ideas, civil and mill
ary, and Hussein Avni Pasha-since assassinated
asked me IL could not go over to the cavalry
arracks across the straits and give 30 nae LEG
1res ON equtation. / said 1 would do 80 with
ieasure, and the next day received an assign
lent on the personal staff Of the Seraski err with
rovlsional rank OF lieutenant colonel That was
, September. 1875. I remained in the Turkish
ervice in that capacity until the latter part OF
lay last, when | received peremptory order to
lin my regiment, and am now taking ad vantage
my six months to report by making the jour-
ey to India overland, and seeing your country
o my way. l go from here 10 San Francisco to
Ike the August steamer for Yokohama and
long Kong But as to the Turks: / found the
hole Turkish army two years ago in transit
On state. New arms, new tactics, new ideas
ere all the rge. Everybody, from muchir to
,rporal, wanted to learn.
THE YOUNG TURKISH OFFICERS
ere the most docile pupils ever saw, and the
mmon soldiery fully seconded their aspirations.
" 1t was not like the time fifty odd years ago.
hen Mahmod broke up the Jannissaries and in
oduced the European system. Then the Turks
sisted innovation and Mahmod had to mas-
ere his veterans in order to reorganizs his
my. But now found the spirit Of improve
ent ardent among all classes Of the Turkish e.
blshment. Their infantry, you know, had
'eady achieved wonders in the way of reorgan-
'tieD, rearmament and reform generally. But
cir cavalry Waa at a standst;u The old iaw-