BITS ABOUT THE BULGARS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 129, 7 January 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

BITS ABOUT THE BULGARS.

A FEW SIDELIGHTS OX THE NEWCOMERS TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST WAR. Sour milk and black bread k a favourite dish with the Bulgarian soldier. Service in the Bulgarian Army is universal and compulsory. Every man exempted has to pay a tax. Every Bulgnr has a stake in tiie country. Even if he is only a peasant he owns a small farm and knows no landlord. The name of Gladstone is greatly revered by Bulgarians', and they !ia"'e always looked upon England as Gladstone's country. The country has about 450,000 soldiers, and on active service there are boys of sixteen and patriarchy of eighty; the old men being kept to lookafter the bullock transport and like work. The Bulgarian infantry is armed with the Mannlicher magazine rifle, calibre .310. Cavalry have the Mann--I'cher carbine. The field gun is the Schneider quick-firing gun, and the mountain batteries are armed with the light Krupp 7.5 cm. quick-firing guns. General Dimitrieff, one of Bulgaria's most successful commanders, took service with the Russians during the present war. and had to light his way hack ; n the great retreat in Galicia 'before Mackensen's forces. Service in the ranks of the Bulgarian army commences at the age of twenty, and for two years in the infantry, and for three years in other arms. Reserve service is for eighteen years in the infantry and sixteen years in the other arms.