The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-29
THEY ARE WONDERS.
Tho American Soldiers as Seen from
Standpoint of One of Turkeys Ablest
Generals,


Generals
Hassam Enver Pasha, representing the
Turkish government, in a signed article
battles at Santiago. He is one of the
great generals of Europe. His story
runs:
"The conditions under which the
Americans fought were very trying. The
atmospheric condition, the thick, tropi-
cal jungle, the intense heat and the
showers of rain, creating "a hot vaper
were most difficult and enervating in
themselves. They require the utmost
endurance.
"If the Americans had been any less
than what they are, coming as they did
from northern or cooler climate, it
would have been impossible for them to
have endured what they went through.
"There were apparently few intricate
manosuvres, but an extended amount OF
diminishing and advances by small
bodies of men, to whose endurance there
was no limit. With little food, and that
of kind which to me, accustomed to the
nourishing rations of the Turkish army,
seemed utterly inadequate and unsuitable
to their needs. the men seemed to know
no such word as halt.
No charge was too difficult for them /;
nothing dalnpened their enthusiasm or
could restrain them.
"Between the volunteers and regulars
there was marked difference. There was
"a unity among the regulars that told OF
the seasoned fighter. 1 understood that
many of the troops at Santiago have seen
long and hard service lighting your In
dams and have won their spurs in that
way. They showed plainly that they
were seasoned soldiers. .
"Yet the volunteers at all times showed
their determination to do their best, and
for men coming, as many OF them did,
straight from their desks, they did won
derful service. They were always willing
and anxious to get chance at the Span
iards. ~
"The rough riders were peculiar body
of men, and we're splendidly equipped.
They were soldiers to be proud OF, and
any commander would recognize, that he
had fighting power to which the only
limit was death.
1.-THE swiftness with which the cam
paign against Santiago was pushed gave
the American forces little time for rest
or reeuperation. When Gen. Shafter
called halt in operations for his men
they headed it badly, coming as they did
from q sea voyage in cramped quarters
almost at once ipso the fighting, without
rest or sleep, and insufficient food.
"Considering all the conditions re-
gard the American troops as wonders,
and the small loss cannot be accounted
for by any military theories
''As the soldiers went to the real work
cut out for them they struck inc as full
of an immense reserve power, that they
did not need any battle cries to call
forth. They seemed to me quite capable
of fighting without urging, and did
not hear OF single instance where the
officers found any need for urging their
tack.
tsThe American soldier does not put his
enthusiasm into words. He went along,
and fought as he went.
nIhe colored soldiers whom saw
showed great bravery.
81 was struck by the strong constitu-
lions with which all the men seemed en-
dowed. They were robust. NIT o weak,
lot Of men. In fact they seem particular
ly healthy, and healthy men are always
better fighters. Your examiners must
have been very strict in their require
ments, as the volunteers were of the
finest class of men physically.
ssI cannot say that the Cubans whom
saw were of benefit to the American
forces. Those whom saw seemed good at
eating
II was particularly interested by the
cheerfulness and resolution the American
forces displayed as they went into battle.
And when these same men came back
wounded they still showed that same dis
position.
s'The American Workmanship is supe-
rior, remarkable, and I heard of many
instances of wonderful shooting. Con-
sidering the disposition of the American
forces and the manner in which the ad-
vances were made the percentage of killed
is very small compared with the usual
percentage of slain. And yet some of
the shooting done by the Spaniards was
good 1t was better than the artillery
work of the Spaniards. -
''The volunteer forces are quantity In
war with which no comparison can tie
made with any European body of soldiers.
Since military service is obligatory, in
European countries a volunteer force
such as has been gathered in America at
the call of the President is a remarkably
arrny I have been asked already II L
think this war will bring about any
change in American ideas on the subject
of compulsory military service. l have
seen nothing that would make me think
your country would find any change
necessary.
GAN the officers have shown exception
al bravery. 1t needs no evidence to prove
that beyond the fact that SO many of
them were wounded.
"The American soldier keeps on think
ing all the time whether fighting or get.
ting ready for it.
SAILED EOR SANTIAGO