Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-26
EUROPE VERSUS TURKEY.

VINO ms the same rank as the grand vizier
but who takes precedence OF the latter on
all state occasions.
The constitution and government of the
Ottoman empire are based upon the Koran
and the code Multeka. the latter formed or
the supposed sayings and opinions attrib-
uted the prophet and those OF his immediate
successors. Another code of laws. the
Cahon Nameh, was established by Suleirnan
soliman. the Magnificent. from a collection
of haiti cherifs or DEGREES, issued by him
and his successors. and is held In great es-
TEEN.
The legislative and executive authority is
exercised under the supreme direction OF
the sultan by two high dgnitaries, the
sidar-azam or grand vizier, chief of the tenn
poral and the cheikh- ul-islan. chief OF the
spiritual power. Both are appointed by the
sovereign. The cheikh-ul-islam, with tho
nominal concurrence OF the uemas, a body
comprising the clergy and chief function
aries of the law over which the cheikh-ul-
islam presides. although he does not exer-
else religious functions. connects with the
uiemas and the multi, the interpreters of
the Koran. The principal civil functionaries
as well as the military bear the titles OF
enendf. hey and pacha
Forms OF constitutions modelled after Eu-
ropean states have been promulgated at va
rious periods. but they have remained
dead letters.
The grand vizier is aided by meglis-i-
mass or privy council. the cabinet being
actually composed as follows: Grand vizier
Ferid Pacha; cheikh-ul-isIam, IeTnmal Ed
din Enendi; minister of Justice, Abdurrah-
man Pacha: minister of war, Ria Pacha;
marine mari iellal Pacha; president council.
Tewhk; Interior. Menduh; finance Nazif;
pious foundations. Turham; public instruc
ton, Hashfm: public works and commerce,
Zihni Pasha.
In December. 1902. plans of reforms were
presented by the Austro-H Hungarian and
Military suggestions were adopted but
Forces. were submitted anew by the
muerzteg program. In ac-
cordance Herewith officials were appointed.
An italian general was made chief OF the
Macedonian gendarmerie, other foreign Of
hcers were named and designated; the Aus
TRANS at Uskuf. the Italians at Monaster.
the Russians at Salonica, the French at
Sevres. and the British at Drama. Their
number being found insufficient the porte
was requested to provide for a considerable
increase which was accepted and compiled
with by the sultan, but under protest
The army is composed OF all Mussulma ms
over twenty years of age, and the liability
continues for twenty years. Nom ussul-
mans are not liable but pay an exemption
tax OF eight francs. The army consists OF
the Ndzam. or regulars and reserves; the
Redif, or Landwehr: the Mustahfus or
Landsturn. The Nizam serve nine years
(three with colors six in the reserved nine
years in the Redif. two years in the Mus
tahfus-ln all, twenty years.
Inc Nlzam infantry contains eighty regi-
ments of the line. each with four battaI-
IONS. two regiments of zouaves and two
battaitons each. one regiment OF fremen
and twenty battalions of rifles. Two line
regiments form brigade two brigades and
a rifle battalion form an infantry division
and two divisions form an ordu The total
Nf
battalions is 1854 men. with 207 horses
The infantry are armed with Mauser rifles,
the first three ordu having received the
small bore 7.65 M, the fourth and sixth the
been distributed. 10000 remain In depots
at Constantinople. and it Is proposed to
purchase 222. 900 more.
The Redif Is organized in four divisions
or sixteen battalions each I'm the first ordr,
Each division has two brigades of two reet-
ments or four battalions. The second class
Reddf IN Europe are organized In a similar
manner
The Nizam cavalry consists of thirty
eight regiments of the line, two regiments
or the guard and two special Handle hus-
ear regiments at Adrianople, with some
squadrons OF mounted infantry employed
near Aieppo. Bagdad, Nejd and Yemen. In
the latter country in Instructions since
several months the Ottoman government
mas been forced to employ an unusual num-
Der or troops in campaigns which have
In the fourth and fifth ordu DISTRICTS
sxty-three regiments Of Handle cavalry.
commanded by tribal chiefs, have been
formed and Joined with the regular army.
The tribes furnish men. horses and equip
ment and the government the armament.
*
Inc Held artillery was reorganized in
1891, and quick-firing batteries of modern
krupps Were added In 1904.
ArClIlery Turkey has in ell IL hat
Strength. teries Of horse artillery, 1874
field, 81 mountain and IL
howitzer batteries. a total of 165O e1,ns,
The following Is a summary of the eff
fective war strength of the Turkish armv.
Infantry, 1883 battalions. $50, 500 men: cav
airy, los regiments, 81 900 men; artillery.
1850 guns. $1,000 men; engineers, thirty
nine companies. 1900 men; total, 9s7. 900
men.
A reorganization Of the Turkish navy has
been effected within the last three wears
and two new vessels have been constructed
at Elswick and Philadelphia. These are
protected cruisers of $3.50 tons carving
two 6-inch and seven 47-inch guns. with
Pinch armor decks and designed speed of
p knots. The old cruiser Messoudie has
been thoroughly reconstructed In Italy She
now carries two 90, twelve 6-inch and ten
14-pounders, and on trial attained II knots
Three other cruisers have been reconstruct
ed by an Italian firm working in the gov
eminent dock yard of the Golden Horn.
Thus the modern navy consists of six
cruisers of 1900 tons, two torpedo gun
boats launched IN 1880, four large torpedo
boats, two of which are modern; also TWEEN
ty-one old boats of no value.
The term of service Is twelve years. five
in active service, three In reserves, four in
Redif. There are six vice admirals eleven
rear adntrals, two hundred and eight can
tains. two hundred and eighty-nine COM
manders. two hundred and twenty Eight
lieutenants. one hundred and eighty-seven
ensigns. thirty thousand sailors and nine
thousand marines.
Such Is Turkeys strength on land and