Chapter XXVI: Appendix: E

SUBSTANCE OF REPORT ON SULTAN’S _’ASKÁR_ OR REGULAR INFANTRY.

1. ... The number of regiments inspected was fourteen. The total number
of men, I should say, was 2000, besides 200 boys unfit to bear arms,
and about 300 officers and supernumeraries.

2. The rifles—some of very ancient dates fitted with flint and
steel—are, in their present condition, all unserviceable, except the
Martini Henry, which seem in excellent order, but of which there
were only sixty on parade. It is possible some of the American and
other rifles of comparatively modern date might be put in repair by
a competent armourer.

3. ... The clothing was of no particular pattern, and of inferior
quality; the new clothing appears to be made of stuff which would
stand very little wear and tear.

4. ... Only the English belts are serviceable.

5. The Moorish leather ammunition pouch seems good, but requires polish
to preserve it from the weather. The foreign pouches, other than
English, are unserviceable.

6. The Moorish leather bag would make a good haversack.

7. It was noticed that many men had no shoes, belts, bayonets, or frogs
and scabbards for bayonets, and that the axe—the only tool carried
by pioneers—was unserviceable.

RECOMMENDED.

_a._ Regiments to be numbered consecutively, and the numbers to be
worked on their uniforms and colours.

_b._ Men to be forbidden to employ substitutes unless properly drilled
and equipped.

_c._ That an annual course of musketry be established as soon as rifles
capable of being fired are issued; it might be commenced with the
sixty Martini-Henry rifles.

_d._ That a skilled armourer be attached to each regiment, also three
pioneers, provided with axe, spade, and other tools.

_e._ Non-commissioned officers to have some distinctive dress, and
remain permanently with their regiments.

_f._ No regiment to have more than one class of firearm, and colours
not to be carried on the rifle.

_g._ For muzzle-loading rifles the native powder-flask, bullet, and
cap-bag to be used. The breech-loading ammunition pouches are
useless for this.

_h._ That out of the 2000 men inspected, two regiments be formed of,
say, 700 each, with officers, non-commissioned officers, drummers,
and pioneers complete. The remainder, unfit for service, to be
disbanded, and boys to be trained for soldiers.

_i._ That a blanket be issued to each soldier when on active service,
and that pipeclay for belts and slings, and blacking for pouches, be
taken into use.

_N.B._—The Turkish infantry are armed with the Peabody-Martini, and get
their ammunition from America; they carry a blanket on active
service, and 120 rounds ammunition. They make their own boots out of
raw hide, and carry on pack animals plenty of shovels, picks, and
ammunition. Their cavalry are armed with Winchester repeating
rifles.

From what I observed ... I am still of opinion that the system lately
advocated by me, and communicated through Your Excellency to His
Majesty, might be successfully carried out.

APPENDIX F.
EXTRACTS FROM LETTER OF HIS EXCELLENCY SIR JOHN DRUMMOND HAY TO THE
AUTHOR.

_Fez, 9th May 1880._

... I have been requested by the Sultan to convey to you His Majesty’s thanks for the able reports you have prepared at His Majesty’s desire regarding the body of _’Askár_ you inspected.... The Sultan has given orders that the regulations you have presented should be adopted.... His Majesty requests me to say that he trusts you will preserve the sword of honour which has been presented to you as a mark of His Majesty’s sense of the service you have rendered on this occasion, and of your visit to his Court.

APPENDIX G.
SPECIMEN OF A “SHARÍFIAN LETTER” FROM THE SULTAN TO GOVERNOR OF MAZAGAN,
DECEMBER 1879.

Praise to the one God!

Complaints have been addressed to the Sharífian Court, exalted of God, by the Jews of Mazagan, that thou dost ill-treat them, imprison, flog, and impose penalties on them in an unjust manner.

Governors who act thus do not follow the precepts of our religion.

Dost thou not know that on the day of the resurrection the unjust will have to answer before God for the acts of injustice they may have committed?

This is the word of God accepted by all creeds.

The Prophet—may God make our prayers acceptable through him—said, “Whosoever acts unjustly towards the Jew will be called to account on the day of resurrection.”

The Jews are our tributary subjects. We, therefore, order thee to cease from further persecution of the Jews, and to act with leniency and kindness towards them. May God assist thee in doing so.