'The development of the military strength of Turkey. [Translated from the "International Revue" for November 1893 and "Die Reichswehr" for February 1894.]' [‎4r] (7/16)

THE DEVELOPMENT OP THE MILITARY STRENGTH OP
TURKEY.
Extract from the “ Internationale Revue” for November 1893.
The writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. begins by saying that French, English, and German periodicals
are in the habit of decrying the armed strength of Turkey, representing it as
being in an absolute state of stagnation, and that they are too apt to imagine that
all so-called reforms are but paper schemes, still safely reposing in the sick
man’s pigeon holes.
This may be attributed to political action, but nevertheless it is calculated
to create very erroneous impressions : he maintains that the true state of affairs
is in reality very different, and, in the interests of the Triple Alliance, should be
carefully examined.
He has lived for ten years in Turkey, and is prepared to refute all the recent
severe and unjust criticisms; he maintains that the armed strength of Turkey
has been remodelled on modern lines in spite of financial difficulties and strain
ed political relations. He represents Goltz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who has renewed his con
tract with the Sultan for a further term of three years, as pledged to the carrying
through of this reform, and deals with several projects which have either lately
undergone further changes, or which so far have not been brought to notice.
The Artillery Reorganisation Programme of 1886-87 (giving each of the
first 6 Ordus six regiments and three horse batteries, as well as providing
artillery for the Redif Corps), and the creation of the llamidie Cavalry, have
actually been carried out.
Details of the Artillery reorganisation have been previously submitted to
our readers; but, before touching upon the cavalry question, we must first des
cribe the subdivision of the empire into territorial zones, an accomplished
fact which many journals refuse to believe in.
This territorial system actually exists in the 4th, 5th, and 6th Corps
(Erzerum, Damascus, Bagdad), and will now be introduced in the Ordu Dis
tricts 1, 2, and 3 (i.e., Constantinople, Adrianople, and Monastir).
The 7th Corps Yemen and the independent divisions of Hejaz, Tripoli,
and Crete contain, as is well known, only “ Muwazzaf,” or active troops :—
Yemen and the recently occupied important
35 Battalions.
territory of Sad-a.
2 Squadrons.
3 Field Batteries.
10 Mountain Batteries.
Hejaz
12 Battalions.
1 Squadron.
2 Batteries.
Tripoli
17 Battalions.
10 Squadrons.
4 Field Batteries.
2 Mountain Batteries.
Crete ... ... ... ... 13 Battalions.
2 Squadrons.
3 Field Batteries.
3 Mountain Batteries,