Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-08-29
DAILY PosI.INTELuGENcER.


EOI
The present outlook 10 that China ana
France are soon 70 be engaged N
great and perhaps extended conflict
Already much blood has bean snea'
property destroyed, forts dismansieo,
towns shelIed and vessels sunk IL ~in
be no easy task, even for Sc Poserfoi
G.,vernmsut Is France, 70 conquer the
Chinese Nation. China has men ana
means almost snlimited In NUMBERS
and amount. For years that great EN-
pirs has been adopting the methods OF
Earopsan military organic st'on, mas
been purchasing the bess material Oh
,nodsrn land and naval warfare Hef
navy is large, embracing some OF toe
strongest ironciads s6oat, which, al
though manned by native sailors and
marines, are under charge and disci-
pline of skilled European and American
officers. Her fortihnations have, DUR
ING the last decade, been vastly en-
laroed, strengthened and extended ;
also. under the direction Of foreign civil
and military engineers, China has been
swift TO adopt. in military and naval
matters. the latest inventions, and to
learn lessons from recent wars IN ether
portions of the globe. Conservative IN
thu admission Of foreigners 10 the IN
terror of her vast empire. and slow to
appropriate and utilize machinery for
mechanical or agricultural pursuits, her
policy has been exactly the reverse 10
respect to providing means for aeares-
awe or defensive warfare. The result
ia that the Chiaa Of today Is no mean
antagonist, even for the impetuous
Gaul TO encounter.
From recently published account OF
an interview with members Of the CHI
nese legation at Washington some idea
of the strength of the Chinese Empire
as warliks power is gained. The CHI
nese army has since the Manchu con-
ousst been divided into two sections, the
Green Flags and the BANNER men. The
former stand somewhat in the place OF
our militia, the latter representing the
regular army. The Banner men nun
Der about $4,000, and are stationed
near the capital. IL is claimed. how
ever, that they are only O small section
of the fighting strength Of the army.
The great masses Of troops come from
the interior, Mongolia alone being able
TO furnish 10000 men. The Green
Flags number 100000, and besides these
there are sufficient nuaibsr scattered
about at the various forts and military
stations TO bring up the numbers Of an
immediately available force TO full
million. This of itself Is large army,
bat small when compared with the num-
Der of troops that could be raised by a
desposic government num .ering 49,
100000 people. In addition 10 this
enormous numerical strength, the mem
bers Of the embassy lay great stress
upon the facts that We have noted--to
VIE, the adoption of European methods
In the organization. drill, discipline and
equipment of the army. since Chi
nese" Gordon overhauled IL and prompt
ly put down the Tapping rebellion, the
Importance and necessity Of an advance
in military knowledge has been feoog-
nizsd, and the result il thst all along
the oodst are strong forts bristl ing
with Krupp guns; that a strong aud
essentially modern naval orgaEiz alton
has been perfected and that nearly 200.-
600 men, drilled and equipped in thor
oughly European style and able to do
frst-olass fighting at a minutes notice
are enrolled In the ranks OF a standing
army. Modern arms of all sorts, both
large and small. have been imported
and manufactures of arms of the latest
and best approved patterns have been
numerously established under charge Of
experienced and capable foreigners.
With this equipment and almost IN.
limited resources in men and money Ii
10 evident that the Chinese government
ID today no mean antagonist TO be met
by an army Of invasion. France may,
and will. undoubtedly, shell the coast
cities, sink merchantmen, destroy some
forts and sink or capture some eun-
boats. But this viii not be accom-
plished without loss of men and ships,
and when entrance IL effected and a
march made into the interior to cap.
ture the capital. there will be- stubborn
and desperate resistance. Il Is sin.
cersly TO DO hoped In the interests OF
humanity that the matters in dispute
between these two powerful nations
may DO referred 10 some one or more OF
the great powers for arbitration and
settlement. Indeed. this 10 likely 10 be
the result. A war Of conquest will
hardly be suffered TO continue Cor q
great length Of time by the enlightened
sentiment OF this age.