The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14

OF negroes from Senegal UP to Casa
blanca, where they did splendid service
against the MOOrs. that has led the
French authorities 10 place this question
OF strengthening the home army with
African levies, upon what Is known as
the Order Of the Day.
True, France had two OF three Turoo
regiments fighting for her against the
Germans in 1870 especially az the battle
Of Froschwiller; in Northern italy against
the AUstrians in 1859. and IN the Crimea,
where they distinguished themselves, not
only by their absolute fearlessness, but
by their splendid discipline, their en-
durance, and their abstinence from any
sort Of excess, even In the heat Of bat
tie.
But this seems to have been forgotten.
and the employment OF African corps in
France and on European soil, Is being
discussed in Paris at the war department.
! in the national legislature, and in the
press, as an absolutely new experiment.
Naturally some people are raising OBJ
| jections 70 this scheme II is feared that
African and Algerian troops if imported
into France will loose their respect and
their regard for the white man. which
renders them so amenable 20 discipline IN
the land Of their birth.
/ IL is argued that they will become con-
taminated with all sorts OF vices now
foreign 10 them, and that the prestige
now enjoyed by the white man in their
minds viii be obliterated. OF course.
these points require careful considera-
/ ton. and cannot be lightly dismissed.
! OF less Importance is the very wide
spread impression which seems TO pre-
al
! here IN the United States, to the effect
that the use Of Asiatic or African troops
/ for civilized warfare among white ma
! tons, is forbidden by the laws OF war
This is mistaken idea. There Is
nothing 70 be found in those international
! codes which have been accepted as the
laws Of war that prevents the use OF
| troops OF barbarOUs or semi-civilized CO..
ored races. provided they are thoroughly
I disciplined and under the complete con-
/ troll Of white officers.
IL is well that this should be generally
understood. The MISREPRESENTATION on the
subject seems 20 date from the time when
In the eighteenth century the great Lord
Chatham denounced with such eloquent
Indignation the employment by British
| commanders In this country OF Red In
dian tribes against the American revolt
viously resorted 20 the same methods OF
warfare in their struggle with the Eng
fish up in Canada.
| Moreover. the entire press OF Europe
and OF America was up IN arms in con-
| nection with the acts Of savagery and OF
barbarism perpetrated by the wild Cir
| cassian cavalry which the Russian COM
mander employed in the suppression OF
the Hungarian rebellion just sixty years
ago. In fact so great were the atrocities
committed by these uudiscipliued Circas-
sian levies OF Count Pahlen, that 20 this
day the name of Russia remains an object
of particular execration among the
Magysrs.
In 1876 the Turkish Sultans action ir
endeavoring 10 put down the rising in
Bulgaria by means Of irregular Bashi-
Bazouk cavalry. recruited from the mosr
barbarous portion of his Asiatic domin.
ions. aroused all Europe against him
and precipitated the war which cost hin
his possession Of Bulgaria. ROumelia Cy'
prus Herzegovina and Bosnia, as well as
the suzerainty OF Roumania. Servia. and
Montenegro, together with a consldera.
bic portion OF his dominions in Asia Nj
nor.
4 couple or years afte-ward. wheT
England seemed TO be on the verge OF
war with Russia a small contingent O.
Indian cavalry was brought by Lore
BeacOnsheld TO Malta which created
such a storm OF protest, ,even in Grea'
Britain. that the men were quickly ship
ped back 10 Bombay. Their visit 4
Malta. however. served 10 remind con.
tinental Europe that the military re-
sources Of England We're not restricted
solely 10 her standing army at home
, and that her forces IN India must bC
taken into account. This IS probably al
that Lord Beaconsfeld had in view
when he brought the Indian contingent
20 the Mediterranean.
These prejudices have been 10 a Ger
tain extent Oblterated: and the greai
powers have practically come TO the con
clusion that they can use Asiatic ant
African troops for warfare among Euro
pean nations, provided these dusky-huet
soldiers are properly disciplined anJ
commanded.
Thus. although Joseph Chamberlain
while secretary Of state for the colonie.
announced IN the House OF Commons II
July 1901. that England would not hest