The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-06-29

The frequent references which have been
made of late to the Chinese as a possible
power in Central Asia render the consider
alton of the Sighting qualities of that PEG.
are generally credited with large share
of the Oriental failing of cowardice. But
this, like many popular ideas, is disspated
by observation and inquiry. 1t is true that,
in the civil wars, which from time to time
disturb the peace of the empire, the com
unwillingness to fight. Nor is it possible
To deny that on more than one occasion
the imperial "braves" have run away rath-
er than face the Armstrong; and rifles
of European armies. But q moments re-
Election is sufficient to prove that this ap-
parent pusilianimity need not necessarily be
put down to personal cow ardice. Every
one who knows the way in which civil wars
are conducted in China, is aware that it is
often to the advantage of the imperial COM
manders to avoid general actions, least
they should put an end to state of an
archy from which they and their troops reap
rich harvests, while the insurgents, on the
other hand, are generally glad to gain
time. This is the explanation of such ridi-
culous battles as we have lately heard of
In kweichow, where, after wasting great
quantities of powder at long distan ces, the
troops on either side have been hastily
withdrawn after losing two or three men
aPiCSC. vi SoulSeJ VIC ucu lcel LudC Cuelr
commanders are not in earnest, they go
into battle as much prepared to retreat as
to fight. Such a training would demoralize
the best drilled and equipped soldiery in
the world, and to neither of these qualifca-
tons can Chinese troops lay claim. Their
asms-except in the case of the regiments
which have lately been armed with Europ
can weapons-are of the most inefficient
kind, and the troops themselves, without
discipline and destitute of all barrack- yard
training, have no more cohesion than a
common mob. A we'll directed volley
from hundred MIME rifles, or few Arm
strong shells bursting in the midst of a
squadron of horse or a battalion of in
fantry, is enough to dispense their com.
ponent parts.
But circumstances alter cases and there
are qualities in the Chinese character which
would justify the belief, even if experience
had not proved its truth, that they might
furnish good and efficient soldiers. In the
first place, they attach very small value
to life, they are capable of sustaining
great deal of fatigue, they are temperate
in their mode of living, and exist on daily
rations which would not satisfy English
soldiers for single meal. The fact that
Cinnamon are to be found who are willing,
for consideration, to take the place Of
criminals on the execution
ground, proves with what slight terrors
they look upon death. In letter, descrip-
tive of the bombardment of Canton, a |
Times correspondent expresses his wonder
at the indifference to danger shown by the |
citizens. "These strange Chinese,h be
says, "actually seem to be getting used to |
it" (the bonn bardment). "Sampans and |
even cargo boats, are moving down the |
river like London lightermen in the or
binary exercise of their calling, people are
coming down to the bank, and watch the
shot and shell fly over their heads" And
IN fOot-note he relates among others, the
the following incident: "Iu q room open
ing upon the river o family were taking
their evening meal within two hundred
Yards of the Phlegethon, which was keeping
up constant discharge of shells, all Of |
which passed few feet over their heads.
fhe light was 80 strong that the interior
If the room was visible in all it's details,
he inmates were all eating their rice az
'hough nothing particular was happening
outside"
When either fighting behind walls, or
when properly organized and led, this fear
essness makes the Chinaman q formidable
antagonist. The correspondent quotedA
above, when speaking of the coolie corps
employed at the taking of Canton, says,
'Oh, those patient, lusty, enduring coolies!
t was valuable legacy which Colonel
Wetherall left us-that cOolie corps. They
carried the ammunition on the day of the
assault close up to the rear of our COL