Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-17
INDIAN WARRIORS.
Eaacrness Of the East Indian Troops to
Fight the Russians.

RIGHT the KtSStHHS.
Calcutta Special to London Times.
as an experiment of state policy, the dis
patch of native troops to Europe has proved
successful beyond the hopes Of even the
most ardent advocates Of the measure. The
native soldiers appear, indeed, completely
captivated by the prospect of being engaged
in military service in Europe. The fact is
though hitherto it has hot been sufficiently
composed of very different elements
from those of which it was formed
prior to the iEutiny. Tie old Bengal
army was almost e.t;iroly recruited from
hige-cas;e men, who are forbidden by their
religion to cross tie sea. and who naturally,
therefore, showed intense reluctance, If
called upon, 10 fight out of Is:dia. The
present army is, Oh the contrary. to great
extent recruited from the Sil2hs, Pathans
and Punjab Nussulmans-all enlisted for
general service and shackled by little or no
caste prejudice. These are men to whom
fghtingi is as the breath of their nostrils,
and who have been for a long time chatting
under the severe restraints imposed upon
Tho prospect, therefore, which has now been
opened out to them of being employed in
active service under conditions of hope and
confidence, to which the native soldier
is keenly sensible, has awakened
| spirit of emulous enthusiasm, showing that
England possesses in India q reserve of
military strength Of which, till now, she APP
peared hardly conscious. This reserve, if
scientifically organized, is capable of raising
Englal to q tirst-class military power were
it only from mere strength of numbers. 1t
is stated that not only the actual native SOL
diers, but the classes from which they are
generally recruited are manifesting the
greatest eagerness to take part in
the war. Commanding officers have
| reported to the government that regi-
| mental second battalions can be raised in a
few days. This enthusiasm is by no means
confined to the Bengal army. Immediately
the news of Indian troops being ordered to
Malta became known at Mhow, the native
! officers of the Twenty-third regiment, after
| the roll was called, advanced to the colonel
| and expressed their eager desire to be en-
| gagged in active service. Shortly after, the
men collected in crowds round the colonels
bungalow, and on his coming out
with the native officers, scene of
|
Cured, the private soldiers with loud cheers
taking up the request of the native officers.
A telegram from Madras states that when
volunteers were asked for from the Fifteenth
Madras native infantry to Join the Twenty
fifth, under orders for Malta, to whole regi-
ment came forward, earnestly begging to be
sent. This regiment returned only six weeks
ago from three years foreign service in Bur
nah, the men having been settled in lines
for only fourteen days. Many out of the loo
who were selected have not even seen theil
families since their return. They marched
away, nevertheless, in excellent spirits
elated with the prospect ''of going" as they
described it, s'to some place near England to
fight the Russians Apetition for foreign
service, signed by every man in the regiment
has been sent to the commander il
chief by the twenty-ftth Madras infantry
On every side similar accounts are received
in all cases of regiments ordered for serv
ice, those chosen being regarded by the res
of the army with feelings of generous envy
The emulation is SO great that the colonel O
the Ninth is said to have had the choice O.
1000 from which to fill up the few vacancies
in his regiment.
The government is treating the troop.
with iberality which is warmly appreciated
Inc men Will receive batta and free rations
together with three months pay in advance
The new equipment is also said to be boil
serviceable and attractive, consisting of
French gray turban, tied in the same man
nor as in the Sikh regiments, with patel
} in front bearing the number of the regi
) ment, red serge tznic, Zouave trowsers
white CATERS, worsted socks, stout Englisl
boots, and pair of blankets for each Sepoy
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