A MOTLEY DRILL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1702, 4 June 1884, Page 2

A MOTLEY DRILL.

An English gentleman, long resident in, and just returned from, the Persian capital, gives an amusing description of the latest adopted system, or rather systems, of foreign -military instruction pursued in Teherhan. Officers of nearly every nationality of Western Europe have at different periods under-: taken or attempted the re-organisation of the Persian army. It is only some two years since a staff of Austrian officers returned from Persia after completing a : term of- military instruction, with the results of which they were unanimously disgusted. Since that time it appears the Persian Government have retained a mixed staff of military instructors, with the hope, no doubt, that greater progress would result from the creation of a spirit of emulation. Thus there are five regiments in the Persian capital respectively under the immediate command and training of Russian, French, German, Austrian, and Italian officers, In consequence'of the unlimited authority placed in the hands of these foreign officers, each one pursues., his own national or ideal system in drill, evolutions, regimental Regulations, and oven equipment. The Russian officer,, for instance, insists upon mounting his cavalry in Cossack saddles, and each officer trains his men to the words of command issued' iii'lns:i(tlie .officer's) own tongue That a very lively spirit, of emulation and even partisanship has been created is a musingly apparent on a general parade when, say, the regiment under the command of the German officer, marches defiantly past to the music of the" Wacht am Rhein," followed or preceded, as the case may be, by the French-officered regiment playing the " Marseillaise," and similarly with the Russian/ and Austrian •controlled battaUions. ■■ As a result of a mixed and energetic military instructors should find themselves on active service under the command.of a European brigadier, it is possible some little confusion might ensue,