New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-05

DR. RYAN almost single-handed caused MIN 70 iea'e
Plevna ct favorable opportunity oe'ore Hs SUI
render hut after he recovered he returned 70 lhc
scnne ~ the lighting with his old friends the
Turks this time In Erzeroum There intense cola
added manifold to the horrors and sunerings oil
human warfare Notwithstanding the Turks Draw
ery the town was surrendered 10 the RusslahS j"
accordance with the terms OF an armistice con-
c,uded at Constantinople Tho three English sur
geons in the Turkish service there entertainer iour
Of their Russian confreres at good dinner on 'ie
night Of the capitulation, which was the scene Vi
curious misunderstanding brought about py inc
Englishmen's insufficient acquaintance with Frencn'
the only tongue in which they could converse with
their guests Drifting to professional subjects Dr'
RYAN referred 10 two of his colleagues on the
Turkish staff who had been captured by COS
sacks and desired 10 say that he had hearo thtt
the Russians treated the two doctors win great
kindness and made things as pleasant as pos
sble for them This eminently civil sentiment ne
unfortunately phrased thus, "Jai entendu que
vous await fait beaucoup de paisanterles pour hos
deux ams." The result of this enort was por-
tentous lie thus describes it;
There was an Heran o bber xcedy to
each Other and one of hem Jumping b ;C ms dimv
felt denoted astonishment, anger and a demand for
satisfaction. 1t very clear that had put my
foot into II somehow but TO correct my mistake !
strovc in vain Tho more / said the less 1t pleased
my guests. who loudly insisted on duel
After some trouble the difficulty was explained
lows Erzeroum. however, was the scene OF an even
more alarming international dinner-tabe difficulty
that came near having serious consequences. lneie
was certain Edmund ODonovan. "one OF the wiid-
est most brilliant and original geniuses who ever
left ireland TO follow up the vocation of war
correspondent" with the Turkish Army lie had
invited half a dozen Circassian officers who being
strict Mahome-ans. have all the intense prejudice
Of that religion against swlne-to dine with him.
and had prepared appetizinG banquet for them.
Among the dishes was an entree SO savory. so sue
epicure that the Circassians, like the simple emil
plates again and again for ore There Was some some
Thing new and s'rangs yet xnrnssod the
hope that they had enjoyed the GinnsI and the
psv T baG neTer eae Anything like that
entree before, and would their host mind 'e'''hs
"Bcgorra | can tell ye that aisy enough" splut-
tered ODonovan, with a mighty laugh: N eve
out of Connaught. and beautifully cooked he was.
too Then he explained to them In turkish more more
eruption What a shindy there was at that dinner
table, The Circassians could not have been quicker
rus inSd at aa their IGs hoss With The Ts weapons ha
came handy 0Don0yan ara very a weI aStarward
with the leg Of chair but they were TOO many ior
him nnd wneH wa ,e fairly lively five minutes round
the wreck Of the dinner table and Of the empty
ah tnat hed rSe MosSm cirCassans full TO
plction with the flesh Of the aceuTsed creaasnre
]
vans servants rushed in and TOOK their master
mart the issue was longer IN doubt. Although
Inc reyolyers were going freely, only one man was
hurt and IL appeared that ODonoVan had Shot MN
in the arm
II may shame many Occidentas 10 read II, but
one of the most striking facts brought out In the
book is the unrertting guidance Of the Turks re-
lgion 10 which they submit the whole course OF
thei- daily life. Religious scruples prevented the
desperatey wounded from allowing amputations
that would save their lives: the ever-present con-
viction of an immediate translation 10 PARADISE
made them Indifferent TO death. Religion forpius
them the use Of alcohol, and to the strict observ-
ancc Of this prohibition DR.. Ryan repeatedly At
tri utes the wond rful recuperatve powers OF some
of his worst cases. Charging tho enemy, they have
ever the word Allah. on their lips.
Like many other people who learn 10 know the
Turks on their best side and do not approach them
with predetermined hostility. DR.. Ryan. as re-
suit of his long and intimate relations with them
grew &c admire and respect them greatly. AS SOL
ders there are no Drawer men Courageous In mis-
fortune accomplishing under tho most awful sur
fering good humored in every situation. the Turk
ish troops both officers and men. showed through
out all the campaign according to Dr. Ryan, the
temper of true heroes. He takes frequent occasion
10 deny the imputation OF barbarity 10 which they
are so often subject and 10 eXtol their humane and
| kindly instincts. In these respects the book IS
likely TO afford a point OF view for many peo-
! pie or at least an occasion to modify judgments
! that are based on prejudiced information