St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-24
AS MISSIONARIES SEE THEM.

Dr. Nerfess Talks A6out the Chinese and
Their Troubles.
There is now naturally much excitement
on account OF the war with France. While
people in Europe and America are receiving
reliable telegraphic information of all impor-
tant events here day or two after they have
transpired. most of the Chinese, as here in
the interior of this province, only know of
events week or ten days, and often much
longer, after they have happened, and the
accounts received are very contradictory and
unreliable.
From fear of internal rebellion and local
banditti, many of the walls of the villages
are being repaired, and in some places the
panic has been so great that the harvesting
of the crops in the field has been neglected.
In some places on my route 1 have been
taken for an advance scout for
the French army, and in others as a scout
engaged in accommodating the interior in
order to ascertain the whereabouts and plans
of the banditti supposed to be preparing for
predatory excursion to the coast.
The defeat of the Chinese in the south by
a French army vastly inferior in numbers is
very calling to the national pride. At first
reports of Chinese victories were eagerly cir
culated and believed. Now it is generally
known that the part taken by the Chinese in
the engagements at Fuchau resem BILE fight
ing much less than passively submitting to
be slaughtered.
After more than twenty years. preparation
for war, the establishment Of arsenals for the
manufacture OF cannon and small arms, and
| learning to construct war vessels after for
! eign models the incapacity OF China even to
defend her own soil from foreign invaders is
| at first difficult OF explanation. The fact
cannot be justly accounted for by physical
or mental peculiarties of the
race. Their physical development
and powers OF endurance are hardly sur
passed by any race. They are undoubtedly
less d sposed to fighting than Europeans, but
under the Influence Of resentment or des-
peration will often throw away their lives
without hesitation. In the late engagements
at Fuchau they evinced such stocal indiffer-
ence in the presence OF death as would have
| done credit 10 veterans In foreign army
Some of the young men who few years since
returned from America took part in the en-
| gagement aud gave evidence, IL Is said, of
GOODNESS, courage and efficiency which com
/
eigners as well as natives, and which, under
different leaders, might have done much to
! change the fortunes of the day.
| Many causes combine to produce the pres
ent military inferiority OF China. The prin-
cipal Of these may perhaps be summarized
| as follows:
There is little patriotism in China, or
rather, Chinese patriotism terminates on the
distinctive ancient institutions and ciyiliza-
| ton, rather than the present government.
| The ruling dynasty is not only old and effete
! but 1t is Tartar dynasty, and as such the
/ feeling is very general that 1t Ia not worth
/ fighting for, and that the best interests of
the country would be subserved by its giving
| place as soon as possible to another.
The soldiers as a rule are worthless and in
efficient, many Of them gamblers and opium
smokers, who have entered the army because
they have no means of livelihood or were
| too lazy to work. They are poorly paid, and
are the terror Of the neighborhoods where
! they are qusrtered in time Of peace, and in
| time of war would be sure 10 run on the
| slightest pretext.
The military leaders are trained in the use
| ofthe bow and arrow and the military art as
/ practised centuries ago, and are utterly ig-
| norant OF science as applied 10 modern
|
| military ofic er is sometimes subject to the
| authority Of a superior civil officer who has
| gained his position by literary merits, and
whose training and adaptations are only lit
erary. Though they have made some adj
vance in the use Of weapons, having re-
| placed the old native matchbox with breech-
/ loading rifles Of their own manufacture, they
I still keep few decades behind the times
AID are now as unified as ever 70 take the
! fe Id against a foreign army possessed Of
/ repeating rifles and Calling guns.
Added 20 thes: disabilities, the want OF
/ railroads put the Chinese at great disadYsn-
/ tsge. Their solliers, numbering in the ag-
I gregate perhaps one million men, are apt TO
| be quartered where they are not wanted, and
/ before they can be got where they are wanted
/ 1t IL ioo late TO be OF service.
| 1t should be added that falseness and In
| sincerity have produced an utter and almost
universal want Of confidence between the
/ Chinese themselves, and rendered their best
/ plans unreliable and uncertain.
At this time com panies Of soldiers are con-
stantly passing through the country from the
7 interior II the province, on their way 10
/ Cbefoo, and soldiers at Chefoo are con-
SANITY deserving. The only thing accom-
| plished Tips far Is q show Of activity on the
/ part Of the officers, who no doubt report
I extensive military operations 70 the capital.
I and keeping the country people, who do no;
/ know shat i all means, In a constant state
| Of excitement and apDrehens sion
Tbe presence Of one Of the foreigners ira
yelling from place 70 place usual, with re-
liable information Of the real state Of things.
and assurances that there Is no Immediate
danger, has done much TO restore confidence.
/ u had been rEmored that foreigners had all
bren driven from the country. In most
places have been received a. cordially as 10
more peaceful times. Aud With proper pre-
cautions | hope shall not be nolested-
CxkE scHUzz il to lecture on Zen Tzznkiin
while making his soathern tour.