'The development of the military strength of Turkey. [Translated from the "International Revue" for November 1893 and "Die Reichswehr" for February 1894.]' [‎5r] (9/16)

3
Lave been received in Constantinople some time back ; but although several slight
alterations in the actual definition of the boundaries of the districts may even
tually be necessary, this will in no way interfere with the main principles being
vigorously carried out.
Several papers have asserted that no Turkish manoeuvres ever take place.
We have been present at the manoeuvres of two forces operating against
each other in the II Ordu, and at garrison manoeuvres against a marked
enemy in the I Ordu, and have in addition heard the searching criticisms of
competent judges on similar operations in the III Ordu.
There is nothing particular to remark upon in the tours of the general
staff under Goltz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. or of those under the different corps commanders.
Another important question which has recently been decided is the arma
ment of the forces.
The Mauser rifle has been selected.
Of 500,000 of the 9'5 millemetre ordered in 18S7, up to 1889, 220,000
rifles and 6,000 carbines had been re-
1 millemetre = ’0395 inches. . ■ ,
ceived.
Of the 230,000 7‘G mm. rifles ordered in 1889, some 60,000 are still to
come.
The 44,000 carbines ordered were still undelivered when the new contract
with Mauser for 156,000 rifles was concluded, and it was then decided to have
44,000 rifles substituted for the carbines.
So that on completion of the contract there will be-—
280,000
156,000
44,000
480,000 Mauser rifles, 7‘6 mm.
and 220,000 „ „ 9'5 mm.
There is no doubt whatever that the number of small bore rifles must be
greatly increased so as to provide a reserve stock for the field army. Regard
ing the conversion of the 9 5 mm. (•374") to the 7'G mm. (-299), it is intended
that this shall he done as far as possible at Constantinople itself, and that the
cartridge factory An East India Company trading post. shall also he located there.
As far as the cavalry are concerned, we have heard from the War Depart
ment that there is no foundation for the recent rumour to the effect that they
wifl be armed with the Kragh-Jorgensen carbine.
Our readers are aware that 72 field howitzers were ordered from Krupp on
Grumkoff Pasha’s recommendation, and accordingly each of the six Muwazzaf
Corps of the first six Ordus will be armed with them in the proportion of two
batteries of six guns each.
Rather less than two years ago the question of raising the Ilamidie Cavalry
was regarded with derision. It has since made rapid strides towards becoming
an accomplished fact, for Ilamidie Regiments have been raised from among
the Arab tribes in spite of the assurances of experts on Oriental questions, who
insisted that they would no more submit to universal service than the tribes of
the Red Sea littoral (and these latter alone have already furnished volun
teers sufficient to form 4 Zouave Battalions).
On the 1st January 1893, there were 40 regiments of this Militia Cavalry,
to-day there are 55 regiments, with 229 squadrons of an average strength of
150 horses; total horses 34,500.
It is intended to gradually increase the number of these regiments up to
100. This will then make it possible to increase the 198 regular squadrons up
to three times their strength.