The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-31
THE CHINESE ARMY.
Theoretically it ia 100000 Men.
History and Organization.
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History and Organization.
From the London Times.
With regard to the military organization
and resources of China, much might be
written, but, to summarize the chief facts,
it may be said that tine military organiza-
ton on paper is only slightly less elaborate
than the civil administration, and that the
emperor controls forces of nearly 1000 900
armed men-only to a large degree the
arms are out of date, and the men unframed
Although events have compelled the author
tiles to show greater activity, and to in
crease the number of troops by the forma-
ton of fresh corps, such as Ii Hung Changes
trained regiments and the garrison in Man
churia and Central Asia, the division Of the
army remains unchanged, and goes back to
the date of the Manchu conquest, when it
became necessary to organize the perma-
nent forces of the empire. They were then
divided into three separate bodies, COM
posed Of the races to which they belonged
Manchu, Mongol, and Chinese. The Man
chus number 678 companies of 100 each, or
nearly 70, 600 fighting men. The Mongols
furnish about $1,000 men, and the
two combined give what has been generally
called the Tartar army. The Chin
csc or Green Flag army numbers
DSbHocn OOOyOOO duu tOO,OOO IEcn, Dub III
attempt has yet been mad TO organize this
force for modern war. China is strong in
numbers, even with respect to her army,
which has always been delegated to an in
ferior position in her community, priding
itself on the pre-eminence of the educated
civilian, but she is lamentably deficient in
organization.
OF late years strenuous efforts have been
made to render efficient those portions of
the Chinese army which are intrusted with
duties that are considered of exceptional
Importance. The army Of Lii Hung Chang
garrisoning the metropolitan province of
Pechihli, has for twenty years been sub
jected to a stricter discipline than the rest,
caused as much by Li'S experience of war,
gained against the Tapping rebels in CO.
operation with Gen. Gordon, as by the
desire to save the capital. This force, known
as the model corps, or Black Flag army,
numbers about $4,000 mon, and is IL
trusted with the special duty of
garrisoning Port Arthur, the forts at Taku
and on the Peiho, and Tentsin. If China
possesses such thing as an efficient corps
d'GTnlee, 1t is to be found in this force,
which is mainly recruited from the Chinese
population. The men are well armed, and
there are many foreign instructors, among
whom Germans are the most numerous.
The late Gen. Prjevalsky was very skeptical
of the military value of even this force,
but other and equally competent critics
entertain no doubt that 1t is fairly effici-
emit body Of troops, and that the work to be
done-namely, the defense of florists pa
culiarly suited to them.
The garrison of Picking is still composed
exclusively of the Tartar or Banner army.
The Peking field force is railways commanded
by Manchu of high rank, and latterly il
was under the personal orders of Prince
Chun himself. The organization of this
force is backward, and only feeble attempts
have been made to bring up its armament
to the exigencies of modern war. On the
other hand the raw material is the best in
China. 1t consists of the elite of the Manchu
and Mongol Banners, men of fine physique,
who, unlike the Chinese, believe that the
sword is better than the pen, and that
courage is superior to chicane. If their
trai ling were taken seriously in hand
China would possess in her northern
province an army which could safeguard
Picking against any conceivable invasion.
Greater progress has been made with re-
gard to the Tartar army garrisoning the
all-important province of Manchuria.
Twenty years ago the garrison Of that part
of the empire consisted Of the tribal levies,
armed with bows and arrows and spears.
A fiintlock appeared an engine of destruc-
ton. To-day there are nearly 100000 Ban
nermen on the rolls in Manchuria alone,
and of these it is stated that one-third are
armed with Winchester and other rifles
and are performing garrison duties al
Moukden, Kirin, and on the Ussuri 1t il
not contended that these troops are yet as
carefully trained as the model corps Of Lii
but they probably possess superior fighting
qualities.
Leaving q wide margin for exaggeration,
&c ha SvR,r IA haiti btna
has one strong army to defend her capita
against attack from the sea, and another
to oppose any assault by land from the
Amour and Russian Manchuria. This
really means a complete revolution in the
military position of China.
Prince Wang considers that the system oil
military competitive examinations should
be wholly altered. The present dynasty
owes its existence to the practice of arch.
cry, but the conditions Of warfare have
greatly altered, and in place Of the bow and
arrow we have the iron sword and the ter
rible cannon, so that reliance can no longer
be placed upon the antiquated weapons. III
western countries, says Wang, every man
from the prince down to the humblest per
son, learns the art of using firearms
and even foreigners in China practice rife
shooting periodically. 10 this manner they
become skilled marksmen and formidable
soldiers He recommends, therefore, that
in the military examinations, in addition to
the practice with the bow and arrow, lift
ing stones and other heavy weights, the
competitors be required to shoot at target
with rife, and that great honor be be
slowed upon the best marksman. The sue
cessful competitor should then be appointed
to teach rifle shooting to townspeople anC
Others in the neighborhood of his home. sc
that all the people may eventually under
stand the accurate use Of firearms. and h
proposes that decree should be issued that
promotion in the army should in the future
depend upon the skilled use Of firearms.
at EstiIls.