The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1886-11-08
which Osman held Widdin and
Plevna and the country to

which Osman held Widtln and
Plevna and the country To
the westward OF the Osma in 1877. Less
impetuous than the Bosnians, they did
not yield to them in the stubbornncss
with which they would advance to or
repel attack. War largely diminished
their numbers, and some mot many
have remained in Bulgaria and Roumc-
liza. The majority Of the survivors have
returned into Asia, from whence, five
centuries ago. their ancestors crossed
over to spread the terror and power Of
the Ottoman nnmc in Europe. The Mus
sulman Bulgarian, the Pomak. lacked
many Of the better qualities of the true
Turk; and there is evidence that some
of tho worst crimes committed durin g
the atrocity time OF 1876 were the work.
not Of the descendants of the old Otto
man Turks, but Of the Pomaks. Fol-
lowing these came the Albanian contin-
gents to the Turkish army. Here three
very diverse elements were found under
one designation, varying in courage
and submissveness to discipline. The
best of these men are the Tosks CHE
race which gave some of its most re-
nowncd and distinguished leaders to
the Greek instruction of 1920 OF lower
Albania and Epirus, the country OF the
Souliotes and Ali of Tepelen. After
them may be reckoned the Arnaouts OF
northern Albania and the Ghegas of the
center. These last were held in little
esteem by the Turkish commanders, by
reason of their want of discipline and
the difficulty of controlling them in gar
rison OF among the Christian popula-
ton. They are, besides, much under
the influence of the desire for piatchka,
or loot. and the prevalence of vendetta
between the members of different fami-
lies and tribes often rendered it difficult
to preserve peace among the northern
Albanian regiments. For this reason
they have always been among the first
troops disbandcd after war.
Coming after these men, but at some
distance, are the Syrian Arabs. The
Syrian troops that formed a portion of
Mehemct Ali's army in 1877 showed
very little ardor in fight, and many of
them took advantage of any skirmish
to infct on themselves slight wounds
to escape service that was distastcful
to them. Among the most worthless
of the contingents sent from Asia to re-
inforce the army in Europe in 1877
was that composed of Zebccs, drawn
from the country behind Smyrna
These picturesque but cowardly and
bloodthirsty warriors were utterly use
less against the enemy in the field; but
woe to the prisoner who fell into their
hands. Long before the war had ter
minated they were sent out of Bulgaria,
to he great relief of the Turks and the
population generally. But the element
which most completely belied its repu-
tation was the Crcassan. Vainglori-
Gus and truculent, the conduct OF the
Tcherkess throughout the war was a
bitter disappointment to the Turks. A
more unfortunate hospitality was never
exercised by the Turkish government
than when they gave refuge TO those
mountaineers of the Caucasus after
their subjugation by Russia. Planted
along the banks of the Danube and in
the Dobrja in the hope that they would
be useful against Russian invasion.
they proved scourge to their neigh
bors, and were detcsted alike by Chris
tan, Turk, and Tartar. Cattle-lifling
was common with them, but horse.
stealing was preferred. so systematic
were their arrangements for passing
on their booty that they completely |
evaded the ordinary authorities, who,
however. were suspected of being in
collision with them. They never could |
be got to face the Russians in open
fight, but occasionally stampeded their
horses and surprised Cossack vedettes,
who invariably paid for their want of
vigilance by the loss OF their heads.
Such are the races from which the |
Ottoman army is still drawn. They |
do not all make good soldiers. but
some Of them do supply lirst-rate men;
and properly commanded. regularly
paid. deccntly fed and clothed, the
Turkish army is still capable of hold
ing its own against the soldiers OF the
cZlr.