The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-28
LONGsTREET ON THE WAR.
Ex-COnfederate General Says Turkey
Can Whip Greece In Six Weeks.
From the New York Journal.

From the New York Journal.
Washington, April 25.-Gen. James Long
street, ex-minister to Turkey and one of
the greatest military leaders of the con-
federacy, is in Washington. He talked to
a Journal representative to-day about the
eastern situation as follows:
81 had the honor of representing the
United States as minister to Turkey dur
ing the years 1880 and 1881, and had many
opportunities to observe the Turks as
people and also their military organiza-
ton and their Individual worth as SOL
diers. l may also say that l have met
many of those officers whose names are
mentioned in the dispatches from the seat
of war, and on the whole found much to
commend in them.
"Osman Pasha, who has lately been or
dered to assume command of the Turk
ish army, l know very well, indeed, and
consider him not only a very fine man,
but also brave and able general He
is a resolute and tenacious fighter. and
when you make it war you need fighters.
| doubt if there is any better soldier, not
only in the Ottoman empire, but in the
whole of Europe.
BOSNIAN Pasha has been said to be at
his best in defensive rather than offensive
opera tons This is nothing against him,
but rather in his favor, for every sensible
general prefers 10 be able to pick and af-
forwards hold his own position.
Il do not remember to have met Gen.
Won Des Goltz, but I did know Hobart
Pasha, am English officer of acknowledged
ability, and il is greatly to his hard work
that the Turkish army is in such good
condition to-day.
won Des Goltz is not the strategist be-
hind the scenes in the Turkish movements
IN Macedonia Turkey is handling her army
herself and in her own way, for she has
no friends either in Europe or America,
all siding with the Christians.
The Greeks may attempt the passage
of the Dardanelles. as has been suggested;
they are daring enough to do anything;
but It Is a strong position. and will be de-
Tended to the last / can't say what the
character Of the fortifcations along this
strait are. but when | passed up them in
1880 ! remarked its strength and the num-
bers Of heavy guns mounted along its
shores.
There is no better material in Europe
for the making Of soldiers than the Turks.
Their feet II is true. is practically worth
less but their military administration is
the best in their government. The lack Of
sea power, there can be no doubt. is very
much against Turkey. as she cannot bring
her Egyptian or Asiatic troops into action.
but there are plenty Of men in European
Turkey to be able, IL left alone, to whip
Greece I'm six weeks.
IL don't know so much about the re-
ported fatalsm making the Turks the
good fighters they are. II is my opinion
that when q man goes into battle he pays
more attention 10 his duty on the field
than to his religion
Il think that Greece has an understand
ing with some Of he powers, very prob
ably Russia. Tor she Is small has few
resources ana little or no credit and would
hardly have gone into this conflict without
some promised outside help.
The powers viii hardly allow Bulgaria
10 come in on Turkeys rear, but II b.
hard 10 predict what VIII happen and d
appenrs as ~ mn there little countries
were being made cltFpawH of hy Russia.
who. GOES SOON as she has obtained what
sho desires. WIFI step Do and stop the war
or a0boio ihcm lll up that b.. " Europe
viii allow such % move
~ hardly believe there can b. r general
European war. Tor even ~ Russia con-