The Newtown bee., 1897-04-23

The eyes of the civilized world are now fixed on Greece and Turkey, who are now to battle for supremacy. There is no doubt that the sympathy of the American people will be with Greece, in this unequal contest. The dearest analysis of the situation we have seen appears ln the Springfield Republican, and we think THE BEES, readers will enjoy perusal of their estimate. It is as follows: Greece and Turkey both are bankrupt financially, and here they start about even, although sympathy may help Greece to make war loans. In population Greece is considerably smaller than the future city of Greater New York, the census of 1889 showing but 2,lS7 POS inhabitants. Turkey in Europe has 4,78O,00O and the Sultan's dominions in all, not counting states but nomlnally under his rule, have a popu- lation of 27 ,GS8 ,000. In size, therefore, Turkey is about l3 times the larger. The Greek army on peace footing has a total of 25 ,333 men, while on a war footing it's strength is but about S2,000. Doubtless the total number could be in- creased by drafting boys in their teens into the service, but at no one time can Greece hope to employ in the field an army of 100000. The Turkish army, on the other hand, is credited with total effective force in war of zoo, ,000 men, of whom 5S3, ,000 are infantry, 55, 300 are cavalry, and 54 ,720 are in the artillery. This disparity is simply enormous. In training, discipline and equipment it is difficult to compare the opposing forces. While the Turks are miserably fed and clothed, and are never paid, they fight with religious fanatacism that may be fully equal to the enthusiasm of the Greeks. The Turks understand modern war very well, however far behind they may be in the other lines of western civilization. Their arms are not superb or, if they are equal, to those of the Greeks. The Turks have the more ex- perienced officers, but Edhem Pasha, the present commander-in-chief, cannot be compared with Osman Pasha, the hero of Plevna. On the sea, however, Greece seems to lead her antagonist. The Greek navy consists of two defense armor. clads, three frst-class armored cruisers, three thIrd-class cruisers, and of topedo craft, six first-class, II third class, besides 12 boats less than 80 feet long used in this service. The fleet Is small but effective, it's backbone con- sisting of five armor-clad vessels, three of them, the Hydra, Spetsal and Psara, of 1885 tons each, having been built in France as late as 1ss9-90. The Greeks are also pretty we'll equipped in their torpedo service, for they have main talned torpedo school for some years. It will be great surprise to naval ex. perts the world over if the Turkish navy shows the slightest efficiency. It is practically obsolete as fighting force, the Sultan having at one time sold his best ships to raise money, while the others have rusted and routed at their anchors for years. According to the latest reports there were but three vessels that could be reckoned seaworthy and of fighting value, the rest being small or so old as to be worthless under modern conditions. The only first.class cruiser credited to Turkey is still un- finished, while of torpedo boats there appear to be none whatever. Here, then Greece seems to be greatly superior to her antagonist.