Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1894 — CHINA AT WAR. [ARTICLE]

CHINA AT WAR.

FIGHTINC STRENGTH OF HER LAND AND SEA FORCES. Primitive Arm* Giving Place to Improved Weapon*.-The Navy la Better Than the Army. China has made great efforts in the last few years to bring her army and navy nearer the standards of those of Western nations. The total strength of the army fs. says the New York Tribune, about 600,000 men of whom more than 200,000 are permanently stationed for the garrison of the city of Peking, the others being scattered throughout the various provinces of the Empire. Besides these there is an ill-formed organization, which might be called a militia, which gets small pay and never serves with the colors. The discipline of the army is good, and so far as military punishments are concerned, there is hardly a more stringent organization in the world. As a fighting force, however, in the opinion of most foreign military men, the Chinese army has never counted for much. But the last few years may have made a great difference in this regard, as the American, German and English officers employed by the Government-have done all in their power to effect proper changes. In addition to the troops mentioned there are the various provincial forces which are enlisted, paid and controlled by the viceroys of the provinces and mandarins of the cities in which they may be quartered. These are known as the Army of the Green Standard, in contradistinction to the Manchu divisions—the real Chinese soldiers, divided into red, white, blue and yellow divisions, socalled from the color of their battle flags.

The arms of most of these troops were until recently of the most primitive type, and consisted principally of long spears or knives secured to long poles, bows and arrows and clubs. Within the last few years, however, many of these battalions have ’been provided with the most improved modern arms. Two years ago several Chinese officials were sent to Europe to negotiate for the purchase of sufficient modern rifles to arm the entire forces garrisoning the frontiers of Siberia, Tonquin and along the seacoast. The army of Li Hung Chang, the Chinese Prime Minister and Viceroy of the Province of Chihli, numbers about 100,000 men, and is the flower of the Empire. These troops are armed with modern rifles, and have for years been under the leadership of German and American officers, who have brought them up to a state of discipline and efficiency hardly second to anj’ similar body of foreign troops. It is the possession of this army, in love with its chief, which has made him so independent. Chihli is regarded as the gate to Peking, hence the care and attention bestowed upon the troops forming its garrison. The Chinese soldier has little regard for law and order, and despite the strict discipline and rigid punishments inflicted, cannot be always held in bounds. This is due in part to the comparatively little respect in which native troops hold native commanders. In a country ruled as is China there is little hope of redress from higher authorities, and about the only chance the soldier has is to rise and kill his oppressors. The Chinese confine themselves chiefly to infantry. The total cavalry force of the active army is only about 80,000, and of artillery, 20,000. There is, however, an “irregular” class of cavalry which may number nearly 100,000. This force is armed in the most primitive fashion. The navy is a different stamp from the army, and the sailors have been longer under the influence of foreign officers. They are also more trustworthy. Separated as they are from the influences which surround the men on shore, the sailors are free from the temptations and conspiracies which have undermined the troops. The class of men employed on the vessels is also better. The naval officers have been educated in the various naval academies by foreign instructors, and are taught and disciplined according to the systems in vogue in the service of the United States, England and France. The Imperial Government supports three naval colleges for the education of cadets or officers—one at TienTsin, another at Wei-Hai-Woi and the third at Foo-Chow. The instructors are graduates of naval academies of foreign countries, those of Annapolis predominating. The system of instruction is as thorough as the Chinese boy can grasp, but is chiefly practical rather than theoretical? so that by the time the course is finished the cadet is ready to assume his duties on a man-of-war. The cadets are usually chosen from the families of prominent officials living in the seacoast provinces, but members are admitted from any other official and mandarin class.

The Chinese Navy proper comprises about seventy men-of-war, not including many small transports and revenue cutters which in time of need, such as the present, can be armed and placed in active service. The vessels are manned and officered by Chinese subjects, the only foreigners allowed on them being the instructors in special departments, such as gunnery, seamanship, electricity or torpedoes. As soon as a Chinese instructor qualifies, the foreigner returns to the academy. Most vessels of the Chinese fleet have been built abroad. The Chinese navy is divided into tw'ofleets; the Northern, or Peyang squadron, with headquarters at Wei-Hai-Wo:, has under its jurisdiction the protection and defence of all the coast lying to the northward of FooChow, and the Tanvang, or Southern squadron, with headquarters at Canton, which is to defend all the coast south of Foo-Chow. Each squadron has its own admiral, but is governed directly by the Viceroys of Chihli and Canton, respectively, who are held personally responsible by the Emperor for the efficiency and warlike condition of the two fleets. An authority writing of the army and navy two years ago says: “The Chinese army, owing to its primitive weapons, has never shown itself capable of successfully opposing a foreign force, but with the changes re-

cently wrought in the personnel and arms, the army will probably in the next war redeem many of its lost laurels. The Chinese navy has on all occasions shown a record of bravery and devotion which in other nations would have gained more merit than in China. At the battle of FooChow in August, 1884, a few obsolete Chinese ships resisted until the last vessel was blown up by the attack of an overpowering French squadron,, armed with the most approved types of gun and armor, and supplied with torpedoes. For the next war we must foresee that things have greatly changed.”