The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-25
The Good
Discipline of
The Army
Of the Sultan.
The Turks
Well Acquainted With
Modern Methods of Warfare.
Tie Turks


for the Sultan, some other reason for the
Kaisers strange reluctance to assume an
aggressive policy toward Turkey. An in
terview which Philadelphia Times cor
respondent had in Berlin with General
Won der Goltz Pasha, reorganizer of the
Turkish army, Just retired, fore shadows
on the part of the Mussulman a very diff
ferent sort of resistance to attack by a
Christian power than he has been thought
capable of.
The general says Turkey has to-day a
thoroughly modern army, commanded by
officers well skilled in the art of war.
81 am not a politician" said the Pasha
to the correspondent, land 1 have no
opinions to offer as to the probable di-
visions of Turkey and the fate of the i'm
perial Government. The Turkish Cabinet
repeatedly endeavored to drag me into DO
litical complications, but every time
pointed out to the Sultan that | was
merely a soldier, eager to perform my
specific duties, and [ was excused. That
happened. too, shortly before resigned
my post as acknowledgement and reorgan-
izer of the Turkish forces.
"Since the last war the Sultan's troops
have immeasurablv advanced in drill as
well as strategic respects. 1t is no longer
a force subject to Anticipated methods and
notions. 1t is entirely untrue that the re-
forms proposed by myself and the staff of
German instructors were executed only on
paper as has been repeatedly asserted,
To the contrary, they have been religi-
ously put into practice and theoretically
studied with that zeal ordinarily accred-
tied only to German profoundness.
"The Sultan being satisfied that German
drill and strategy are superior to any other
system, he has allowed myself and brother
officers full sway in our departments. We
reorganlzed his standing army down to the
last CATERS button. as the phrase goes,
working tremendously with the Turkish
authorities, who gladly recognized us as
teachers. If it comes to war the success of
our efforts to raise the Turkish troops to
the standard of modern efficiency will soon
become apparent. 1t was part of the Sui
tan's policy not to let the world at large
know what we were doing and what we
were accomplishing. If the powers had
known the full extent of Turkeys indirect
preparations for war they would surely
have interfered, either by accusing his
Majesty of double dealing or by cutting off
our supply of war materials by financial
jugglery.
"The strength of the army is entirely
sufficient, considering that one word of the
Sultan suffices to call the entire male
population, as far as they are believers, to
arms.
Ever since 1886 large detachments OF
Turks have, after receiving preliminary in
struction at home, taken service in the
German army, to return after year or SC
of hard work and disseminate the knowl-
edge thus gained among their comrades
In the same way, but merely for instructive
purposes, have exemplary German officers
taken position with the Sultan's troops.
1.-THE book of instructions newly intro
duced into the Turkish army is similar to
the German military code. Sami Bey,
Turkish military attache at the Berlin
Embassy, is responsible for the greater
part of the instructions which he has seen
tried and successfully carried out.
1.-The Turkish officers corps is now a
very progressive and respectable body of
men. While in the Sultan's service de-
livered two or three lectures every week
before army officers, followed by a lengthy
discussion. l was as tonished at the char
acter of the speeches, questions and de-
monstrations l heard. They proved above
all that these much maligned men are OF
studious habits and take their profession
very much in earnest. Fatalists, as most
as hap hax rot fok
knowledge. AS to the Moslem military
spirit it is as strong to-day as ever during
the last two centuries. The Turk is a
most enduring creature, hardy and capable
of withstanding great bodily infections.
His courage has never been doubted. Such
a soldier needs only capable officers to be
almost invincible, and the Sultan's army
is now splendidly differed and good ma.
terial is added daily.
"But, it has been asserted, The Turks
have no reserves That was true fifteen
years ago, but since the period of service
has been reduced from five to three wears
this defect has been done away with. The
reserves are now in splendid condition and
the army shows the same groups as the
German. The only fault 1 fiEd with the
military administration of Turkey is its
refusal to admit Christians to its standing
army. This discrimination fosters race
hatred; it makes the Turkish army polit.
ical and even a fanatic body. But the
Sultan probably desires to appeal directly
to the religious instincts of his people
whenever international difficulties are
threatened.
Iii &c \. t..
if such becomes necessary, will be effected
within one week. The Macedonia con-
tingent will be in marching order within
five days"