GREECE'S FIGHTING POWER.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 7, 5 October 1878, Page 3

GREECE'S FIGHTING POWER.

As the breach between the Ottoman and Hellenic Governments appears to be getting wider every day, and looks very much like tending to war, a sketch of the fighting power of Greece at the present moment may not be without interest. The nominal peace footing of the Greek army was in 1876 estimated at 14,061 men, and her navy consisted of 14 vessels, including one ironclad and six screw steamers. In that year a bill was passed calling out 300,000 inen, although it was well known it was impossible for the country to support such a force even for a few days. Any new levies it was felt certain would not exceed 25,000 men. Another bill provided for the creation of a military fund by the appropriation of 32250,000 f per annum from stamp taxes to be expended in purchasing warlike stores. Although Greece, in deference to the wishes of European Powers, and particularly of Great Britain, remained neutral during the TurkoRussian war, she made pre P ar ti Oils for any emergencies that might arise ; and in June 1.577 took measures which resulted in her army being raised to 50,000 men, about 30,000 of whom are infantry, She now posses ses two ironclads—the King Georgius and Queen Olga—each carrying two 12-ton geos in single turrets. The navy, is officered, by seventy-one commissioned officers, 128 non-com-missioned officers, and 8s 4 sailors.