The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-27
TURKEYS ARMY QUITE UP TO DATE.
Owing tn the Patient Drilling and
Organization of German Officers.
New York Herald


The Turkish army is we'll able to take
care OF itself in case war results from the
Sultans stubborn front toward the powers.
His soldiers are well drilled and disciplined.
and his officers are UP 10 date in modern
methods of warfare. The Mussulman SOL
ders will surprise any body of European
troops who should be ordered to attack
them.
This, according to Cen. Won der Goltz
Pasha, the German officer who recently re-
organized the Sultan's army, and is now
retired. is probably the reason which has
led the Kaiser to assume a negative policy
in the present war diplomacy.
'Since the last war;, said the General.
the Sutan's troops have greatly improved
in drill well as in strategic knowledge.
They are no longer force subject to an
tiquated methods and notions. 1t is
tirely untrue that the reforms proposed by
myself and the staff of German instructors
were executed only on paper, as has been
have actually been put into practice and
have been theoretically studied with zeal
ordinarily credited only to German pro-
fOundnesS
These modern Turks are hard workers.
and in their military duties, which they
hold as sacred. they neither hesitate nor
falter. That the Sultan was in earnest with
respect to the army reform is perfectly well
known. Ever since the last war his Majesty
has been anxious to do all in his power to
put his army on the most modern footing.
His friendship with the German Emperor is
the consequence OF the personal interest
both feel in their respective armies,
drill and strategy are superior to any other
system, allowed myself and brother officers
full sway in our departments. We organ
lied this standing army down to the last
gaiter button, as the phrase goes working
tremendously with the Turkish authorities,
who gladly recognized US as teachers. If
1t comes to war the success of our efforts
to raise the Turkish troops TO the standard
Of modern efficiency will soon become ap-
parent.
cit was part of the Sultan'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 prerarations for war thew
would surely have interfered, either by ac-
cusing his Majesty of Misunderstanding or by
cutting off our supply of war materials by
Turkish officers and generals have had
a bad name. not because they lacked in
aggressiveness or courage, but because they
had little else to recommend them. This
state of things has totally changed Ever
since 1886 large detachnlents of Turks, after
receiving preliminary instructions at home,
have taken service in the German army.
and have returned after a year or so of hard
work. In the same way exemplary German
officers have taken position with the Sui
tans troops. His friendship with the Kaiser
guaranteed the character of all the officers
engaged for his army; they were all picked
soldiers. tried teachers, men of stamina and
experience.
The book of instruction newly introduced
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 in
structions. which he has seen tried and sue
cessfully carried out
The Turkish officers code is now a
very progressive and respectable body %
men, While in the Sultans service L de-
livered two or three lectures every week
before army officers. These were followed
by discussions. / was astonshed at the
character of the speeches, questions and
demonstrations heard. They proved above
all that these Turkish officers are of studi-
Gus habits and take their profession very
much in earnest - lists as most OF
them are. they know that safety lies in
knowledge
LAS to the Moslem military spirit. II is
as strong to-day as Il ever has been dur
ing the last two centuries. The Turk is a
most enduring creature. hardy, and cap
able of withstanding great bodily inffic-
fions. His courage has never been doubted
Such a soldier needs only capable officers To
be almost invincihle. The Suuan-s army Is
now splendidly Offered, and good material
Is added daily. The war academy, which in
1889 had 453 pupils. now has 1S0
THE mobilization OF the Turkish army
shauid 1t become necessary. viii be eff
fected within a week. The Macedonian con-
tingent Will be in marching order within
FIVE days"