The Mena weekly star., 1897-04-07
OsMAN PASTA.
gchief Commander of the Turkish Army).

gChieg Commander of the Turkish Army) Turkish frontier guard. Such an as- saHit would be casus belli to which none of the European powers could ob- -jsct- 1t would leave Greece free to form alliances with other states and to pur- sue war against Turkey in any way it should sec fit.
 Greece alone might be unable to van quish Turkey, but should it's talented premier. NJ. Delyannis, succeed in ne- gotiating an offensive and defensive al- aiance with Bulgaria, Servia and Monte negro the struggle would be more even one Greece, with a population of 2.500,0 900, can put 150.000 men in the field; Bulgaria could turn out nearly as many; Servia's strength is estimated at I53.000, and Montenegro could furnish Es.OOO of the best fighting men the world has ever seen. Turkey, by calling .outtisree classes of it's reserves, could put 100000 men into European campaign -on comparatively short notice, and still have its Asiatic possession fairly well protected.
 Although the Turkish army is not as 'weIl drilled IS some of the continental ,trcops, it is well armed with modern rifles; it's artillery is equipped with the latest Krupp guns, and it's cavalry we'll mounted. What the soldiers lack in training they more than make up in Eanaficism and frugality. They are not afraid of death, their religion teaching the doctrine of fate In the Russo-Turl- ish war of 1877 thousands of Moslems rushed into the very jaws of death. with praises of Allah on their lips and de- giding the fear of death entertained by the enemies they slew. X fanatic is always dangerous opponent, and when armies of them are led by officers im- tued with the same reckless disregard for life, they become formidable, even though they may De poorly fed and lily clad. In case of war between Turkey ard Greece, the Moslem troops would Ere commanded by Osman pasha. one of Che most distinguished generals of our time. This famous soldier is now 65 years of age. He fought with great dis function in the Crimean war, was sub- commander of the Turkish forces dur ing the Cretan campaign of 1878 and the Servian-Turkish war. In the Russo Turkish campaign he was commander of the Fifth army corps and led the MosIem troops at the famous battle of ScaIevitz. Defeated in that engage ment, he intrenchcd himself at Plevna. holding his position against an im- nsensely superior force from August 31 to December 10. 1877. when he surren- dered with 43.000 men. Recently Osman was made commander in chief of the Turkish army, which. in spite of lack of funds. he has brought up to an efficient standard. In his methods of warfare he k typical Ottoman leader-brave. fanatical. cruel and master of strategy.
 Neither Greece. Bulgaria. Servia nor Montenegro has military leader of rec -ognized ability; and neither has any one .0f these countries much more money aU carry on protracted war than Fur Key itself. A great conflict between <he sultan and his antagonists would. to use plain phrase. be beggar's war. The soldiery of both sides would have to live on what it could steal; and as the sss- would have to be carried on in Mace <s<nia. where there Is very little to steal. the campaign would be a continuous battle for physical existence.