OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 81, 7 April 1900, Page 2

OBITUARY.

[Br Eleotbio Tblhsbaph. —Copyright,] [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (Received 6,10.20 a.m.) London, April 5. Obituaiy: Osman Pasha, the hero of i the siege of Plevna. [By the death of Osman Pasha, Turkey has lost the one brilliant person | who stood out far and away above all others as the most gallant soldier and hero that country could boast of in modern times. To have gained the title of " Ghazi,"or " Victorious," to be the deservedly honoured recipient of the coveted decoration of the Osmanie set in brilliants, to attain the rank of Field-Marshal, Commander-in-Chief of the Impsrial Guard and Marshal of the Palace, and to have acquired considerable influence over~the Sultan, each and all point to the fact that the late Osman Pasha was possessed of talents and abilities which fitted him for the prominent part he played in his country's history, and ensured his name and fame being handed down to posterity with lasting honour. Born at Tokat, in Asia Minor, in 1832, after a preparatory education at Constantinople he passed in due course to the military school which he quitted in 1853, with very high certificates, and immediately entered the Army, being at once appointed to the staff at Shumla shortly after the outbreak of the Crimean War. His gallantry in action and general soldier-like qualties led to rapid advancement, and at the termination of the campaign he was appointed a captain in the Imperial Guards at Constantinople, Rising quickly to the rank of major, he took part in the fightiDg at Crete from 1866 to 1869. In the Turko-Servian War Osman i Pasha commanded the division at Widdin, and for his services was promoted to the rank of FieldMarshal, or Muschir, He was still at Widdin on the outbreak of the war between Turkey and Russia, when his command was increased to 68 battalions, 16 squadrons, and 174 guns, and it was with the greater part of this force that he appeared at Plevna in July, 1877, and turned the tide in favour of the Turks. Tho memorable ( defence he made, and tho gallantry he exhibited, not only secured for him high rewards from the Sultan, but gave him a world-wide reputation that will outlive the late soldier for many years. Plevna was not surrendered until Dec, 10th, and then only after Osman had made a desperate attempt to break 1 hrough the Russian lints. By his , prolonged opposition and high generalship the whole of the Russian plan of | campaign was upset, and he had the great honour and distinction of defeating, in three pitched battles, Russia's finest armies. On his release as a 1 prisoner of war, Ojinan returnod to Constantinople, being appointed Com-mauder-in Chief of the Imperial Guard, ind subsequently Governor of Crete, In December, 1878, he became .Minister of War, and o'aborated a plan for the thorough reorganisation of the army. It is wonderful that up to that time his career should <>ot have been checked by a downfall, consequent on Court intrigues, for which Turkey has an unoviable notoriety. Tbis shows, however, that his jourago and personality must havo been exceptionally strong, yet eventually theinevitable happened, and in July, 1880, nis dismissal from the post of Mitiist«> of War was announced; hut his rot.innout did not last long, as in tht January following he was recalled. Again, however, he was doomed to W -'f office for soma little while, o).!y to return .as Minister of War with tht atlo of Beraskier. After a long iifo o! icUvity, in which m;my laurels fell to hi® lot, tho brave Koldkr his passed away ere attaining the tim e score years and ten. He was corfcainly the man of i-ho time and for the time, and Turkey, where strong men are sadly nee Jo), has lest the 0118 pillar of strength that has I been reared there in modern times.]