The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-15
THE ODDS AGAINST GREECE.
In Conflict with Turkey 1t Would
he Art to Fare Badly.
Buffalo Courier.

The available forces of Turkey for war
service are from two TO four times as great
as those of Greece The immediate domain
of Turkey in Europe and Asia comprises
1,195.000 square niles the population OF
which is estimated to be 2l.5OOOOO. The area
of Greece is 500 miles. and the population
numbers about 1,15O,000. 1t is easily seen
therefore, that Greece is at frightful dis
advantage even if she has Turkey alone to
tackle.
The Turkish army on a war footing con-
sists of $50 battalions of infantry, number
ing 10000 men, 200 squadrons of cavalry,
numbering $4,000 men, and over 200 batteries
or artilleary, comprising 1856 guns manned
by 5000 men-in all about 10000 lighting
men. There are. besides, the various bodies
or engineers, sappers, wagoners, suffers,
etc, making total army, if ii moved In
one body. such as Xerxes might not have
been ashamed to command.
Every Mussulman over the age of twenty
is liable to military service, and this liza
bility continues for twenty years. Only
during the first year however, is the serv-
ice active. During that year the Turk is
drilled for from six to nine months, all told.
Thereafter he is drilled about thirty days
in the year. These men, of course, are not
professional soldiers. of which there are in
times of peace about 100000 under arms.
The entire army is composed of the NiZam
or regular forces, the Redif or national
guard and the Mustahfuz or national
guard reserves. who, il is understood are
called in the last emergency.
An infantry army corps or order. as it
is called in Turkey, is composed of two di-
two brigades and a rifle battalion. a brig
ade is composed of two regiments of the
line. and regiment usually. of four bat
talions. each battalion in turn carrying a
total o. 922 men and 81 horses. OF the men
"a are officers and 62 noncommissioned OFF,
GERS.
The Turkish army has proflted greatly by
the training of German, English and
French officers, and several such have
active commands. Among these are
Grumbchow Pasha, Kalau Won Hofe Pasba.
Woods Pasha and Szechenyi Pasha. They
are fer the most part soldiers of fortune
like the late Captain McGiffen. In case
war should break out with Greece they will
doubtless be conspicuous figures in the con-
flict.
In time of peace Greece has an army of
about % 600 men. But she can bring into
service at pinch another hundred thou
sand or two hundred thousand There is
universal liability to military service in the
kingdom for all males of twenty-one or
over. Two years must be spent i'm the reg
alar army. the next eight years in the regu-
lar army reserves, and the next eight in
the national guard, and the remainder ul
TO the age of forty or so in the national
guard reserves. After the first two years
of active service the citiZ n may pursue his
regular vocation but must obey the call IA
arms If war breaks out. There are 6fty-fiye
battalions of infantry in the army com
plisinC OF. 900 men and 800 horses eighteen
squadrons CT cavalry comprising 500 men
and nearly the same number of horses ano
twenty-nine batteries of artillery, compris-
ing $50 guns. 6,9i2 men and 500 horses.
This army will be at best bur a forlorr,
hope in conflict with Turkey 1t will
hardly defend the northern frontier OF
Greece. leaving her tcrturous coast line all
exposed. She has navysrather better than
that of Turkey. but if other nations OF
Europe take a hand in the game her ships
cannot move out of her harbors. II Is no
wonder that in view of these fearful odds
the Greeks are for making a COMPROMISE
They want peace-but they want honor
with IL.