Evening star., 1897-04-27
The Respective Fighting Powers Of
Greece and Turkey.
GREAT ODDS AGAINST TIE CHRISTIANS
Instructive Review of the Condi-
tons by an Army Officer.
INTERESTING COMPARISONS

students seen by The Star men today pre-
dict the speedy success Of the Turkish
forces. Army officers agreed that the
Turkish army is superior to that of Greece
In numbers es well i'll organization and
equipment. Naval officers were equally
unanimous in the belief OF the decided su-
perior1ty of the Greek navy. They admit
ted, however, that the Grecian supremacy
over the Turks on the sea was not likely to
counterbils,nce theTurkish victories on land
So far the naval forces have taken only a
subordinate part in the war and in fact the
Turkish navy has not even gone into active
service. The Greek navy has rendered good
service In several instances notably at Pre-
VEGA. but has only offered a temporary
check to the successful advances of the
Turkish army
1t Is stated at the Navy Department that
the turkish navy Is twice as numerous as
tnat OF Greece. but that 1t is practically
useieSs The sultan's fleet comprises 2O7
vessels of all kinds. Less than 10 Der cent
OF the fleet. however, is in condition to put
10 set Most OF the vessels are of obsolete
types and have been completely neglected
for years
Turkish Impotence on the Sen.
The deplorable condition of the fleet is
shown by the following recent press ad-
vices from Constantinopie:
1T must be admitted that in the issue
between Greece and Turkey the outlook
seems almost hopeless for the Hellenic
cause. The only possible chance to retrieve
the fortunes of Greece is some great VIC
tory of the fleet. Turkish impotence on
the sea is now confessed. Early last
week Admiral Won Hoff, the German COM
mandcr of the so-called fleet, went to Con-
stanffnople to beg the sultan not to COM
nit wholesale murder by sending to sea
ships which would be certain to sink.
The captains of the vessels comprising
the Turkish fleet in the Dardanelles recent
1y presented to the navy department
round-robin declaring that they are con-
WINGED of the unfitness of all the ships for
active service. In consequence the vessels
were ordered to return to Constantinople
singly. in order that their coming might
not excite public attention. This order has
been carried out. The ships We're brought
back without provoking any public COM
ment.'
The Grecian navy comprises 103 vessels
of all classes. or about half as many as
the sultan has. The Grecian vessels are OF
laOr design than those of Turkey and
while smaller and less numerous. are much
superior to the sultan's in fighting capac-
tiles. The Greeks are a maritime people
and make excellent sailors. They are of
good physique, and are constantly kept
under good discipline.
A naval officer, comparing the fighting
qualities of the two naves, said that a
Greek captain in command of vessel of
1000 tons would easily overcome Turkish
ship of 5000 tons, even allowing the Turk
ish ship heavier guns and thicker armor.
The conditions, he said. would be some
what similar to those which prevails In
the war between China and Japan, with
Greece playing the part of the JapInese
navy, only, however, in a minor degree
The Opposing Armies.
A German military officer near the scene
of hostilities has made report OF the con-
dition of the opposing armies, which is not
very f1attering to either. According TO his
view the Greek officers are too old and the
Turkish officers too ignorant. The age limit
in the Grecian army is seventy years for
colonies. sixty-ive for captains and fifty
two for lieutenants. Even at these ages, he
says. the officers may not be forced to re-
tire unless they are completely broken
down physically or guilty of crimes
In regard to the lack Of education among
the Turkish officers. the German critic says
that there generals who can neither
read nor write. AMI that among the COM
rlissioned officers in all branches of the
service there are 1000 illiterates. ITO be
sure he says, many Turkish officers have
been sent to foreign lands. notably Ger
many, to study tactics and strategy in the
best armies of the world. and upon their
turn have been made instructors
signed to staff duty, but in the generaI
shiftlessness much of the usefulness CT this
system has been lost to the troops
The officer reports the transportation fa-
c1lities of the Turkish army to be deplora-
BILE. with a total absence of system in the
distribution of ammunition and commits
sary supplies. Nevertheless, in mis- sum-
mary of the situation he says that Turkey
is much superior to Greece as a fighting
power.
Views of American Officers.
The views of the majority Of the officers
stationed at the War Department as to the
relative merits of the Turkish and Grecian
armies are embodied in a statement made
to Star reporter by one Of the best in
formed of their number. whose name is
purposely withheld.
The Turkish army said he has a
peace footing Of 10000 men, and in time
of war this is increased TO an army of SOO.-
900 men. They are well armed there be-
ing on hand nearly enough Mauser repeat
ing rifles Of the most approved modern
pattern for the entire strength. They have
also a reserve of Peabody Martini rifles N
fairly good condition. which were used in
the war of 1917. The cavalry is armed
with carbines mostly Of the Peabody-Ma
ters. The Turkish artillery is in good
shape. with steel breecn-loading guns Of
approved system. and the artillery troops
are said to be exceedingly well trained.
''The strength Of the Greek army Is by
no means great. It's total war strength
Is little over 100000 men. The troops are
mainly armed WITH the SITaS rlne, the re-
mair der being supplied with the old Chas-
sepot rifle The Gras rifle is a very good
weapon. but Is not equal to the new Maui
ser in any respect. The Greek artillery Is
supplied with Krupp guns of the most ap-
proved pattern but in quantity it is rather
deficient.
Infantry Doing the Fighting.
'In the recent theater of war, judging
from the press reports. the principal fight
ing is being done by the infantry. This is
due to the fact that the country Is noun
famous and difficult. without many good
roads. The Turks having succeeded In
getting into the plains of Thessaly, they
will now have an opportunity Of using
their cavalry to a considerable extent
When they we're in the mountainous region
the cavalry had to be used on foot or not
at all.
Turks and Greeks Are Good Fighters.
1.-The Turks are good fighters, and al
ways have been. In the Crimean war they
did splendid service. and in the war of 1877.
they seemed, man for man. to have been
superior to the Russians. Although a good
fighting man. the Turk Is not a good busi-
ness man. and this fact Is Of great conse-
quence In considering the military eff
cheney OF the Turkish army. The supply
system has usually been inefficient and In
nd and the Rpporal atari oorvioa