Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-22
THE CHINESE.
DR.. Neviess Talks About the Chinese and
Their Troubles.


Their Troubles.
There is now naturally much excite
ment on account of the war with
France. While people in Europe and
America are receiving reliable tele-
graphic information of all important
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 a week or ten days, and
often much longer, after they have hap
pened, and the accounts received are
very contradictory and unreliable.
From fear of internal rebellion and
local banishment 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 l have been taken
for an advance scout for the French
army. and in others as scout engaged
in reconnoitering the interior in order
to ascertain the whereabouts and plans
of the banditti supposed to be preparing
for a preparatory excursion to the coast.
The defeat of the Chinese in the south
by French army vastly inferior in
numbers is very CALLING to the national
pride. At first reports of Chinese VIC
tories were eagerly circulated and be-
lieved. Now it is generally known that
the part taken by the Chinese in the en-
gagements at Fuchau resembled fight
ing much less than passively submitting
to be slaughtered.
|
paration for war. the establishment of
arsenals for the manufacture of cannon
and small arms. and learning to con-
struct war vessels after foreign models,
the incapacity of China even to defend
her own soil from foreign invaders is at
first difficult of explanation. The fact
can not be just accounted for by physi-
| cal or mental peculiarities Of the race.
Their physical development and powers
of endurance are hardly surpassed by
| any race. They are undoubtedly less
disposed to fighting than Europeans,
but under the influence of resentment
or desperation will often throw away
their lives without hesitation. In the
late engagement at Fuchau they evinced
| such stoical indifference in the pres
ence of death as would have done credit
to veterans in a foreign army. Some of
the young men who a few years since
| returned from America took part in the
engagement and gave evidence, it is
said, of coolness, courage, and efficien-
| CIV which commanded the admiration
and respect of foreigners as well as ma
tives, and which, under different lead
ers. might have done much to change
the fortunes of the day.
Many causes combine to produce the
present military inferiOrity of China.
The principal of these may be summar-
lied as follows:
There is little patriotism in China; or,
rather, Chinese patriotism terminates
| on the distinctive ancient institutions
and civilization, rather than the present
government. The ruling dynasty is
not only old and effete. but is Tartar
dynasty, and as such the feeling is very
general that it is not worth fighting for,
and that the best interest of the coun-
try would be subserved by its giving
place as soon as possible to another.
The soldiers as rule are worthless
and inefficient, many of them gamblers
and opium-smokers, who have entered
the army because they had no means oi
livelihood, or were too lazy to work.
They are poorly paid, and are the ter
ror of the neighbOrhOOds where they
are quartered in time of peace; and in
time of war would be sure to run on the
slightest pretext.
The military leaders are trained in
the use of the bow and arrow and the
military art as practiced centuries ago,
and are utterly ignorant of science as
applied to modern warfare and foreign
drill. The commanding military otfi-
Ger is sometimes subject to the author
ity of superior civil officer who has
gained his position by literary merits,
and whose training and adaptations are
only literary. Though they have made
some advance in the use of weapons,
having replaced the old native match
i lock with breechloading rifles of their
own manufacture, they still keep few
decades behind the times, and are now
as untitled as ever to take the field
against foreign army possessed of re-
peating rifles and Calling guns.
| Added to these disabilities, the want
/
disadvantage. Their soldiers, number
ing in the aggregate perhaps one million
men, are apt to be quartered where they
are not wanted, and before they can be
got where they are wanted it is too late
to be of service.
| 1t should be added that falseness and
insincerity have produced an utter and
| almost universal want of confidence be-
tween the Chinese themselves, and rem
dered their best plans unreliable and
| uncertain.
At this time companies of soldiers are
constantly passing through the country
from the interior of the province, on
their way to Chefoo, and soldiers at
| Cheefoo are constantly deserting. The
only thing accomplished thus far is a
show of activity on the part Of the Off
GERS, who no doubt report extensive
military operations to the capitol, and
keeping the country people, who do
not know what it all means, in a con-
slant state of excitement and apprehen-
sion.
| The presence of one of the foreigners
travelling from place to place as usual,
with reliable information of the real
state of things, and assurances that
there is no immediate danger, has done
| much to restore confidence. 1t had
been rumored that foreigners had all
| been driven from the country. In most
| places have been received rs cordially
as in more peaceful times. And with
proper precautions l hope shall not be
| molested.-NeU York Observer.