The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-08-11
CHINA AT WAR.
FIGHTING STRENGTH OF HER
LAND AND SEA FORCES.
Primitive Arms Giving Place to I'm
proved Weapcns--The Navy 10
Better Than the Army.

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last few years 10 bring her army and
navy nearer the standards of those of
Western nations. The total strength
OF the army is. says the New York
Tribune, about 600, 600 men OF whom
more than 200, 600 are permanently
stationed for the garrison OF the
city OF Peling, the others being scat
tered throughout the various prov
inces OF the Empire. Besides these
there is an Uniformed organization,
which might be called militia,
which gets small pay and never
serves with the colors. The discipline
of the army is good, and so far as
military punishments are concerned,
there is hardly a more stringent
organization in the world. AS a
fighting force, however, in the opin-
ion OF most foreign military men, the
Chinese army has never counted for
much. But the last few years may
have made great difference in this
regard, as the American, German
and English officers employed by the
Government have done all in their
power to effect proper changes.
In addition TO the troops men,
toned there are the various provin-
cial forces which are enlisted, paid
and controlled by the viceroys of the
provinces and mandarins Of the cities
in which they may be quartered.
These are known as the Army Of the
Green Standard, in contradistinction
to the Manchu divisions-the real
Chinese soldiers, divided into red,
white, blue and yellow divisions, So
called from the color of their battle
flags.
The arms Of most Of these troops
were until recently OF the most prim-
tive type, and consisted principally
of long spears or knives secured to
long poles, bows and arrows and
clubs. Within the last few years,
however, many of these battalions
haye been provided with the most
improved modern arms. Two years
ago several Chinese officials were
sent to Europe to negotiate for the
purchase OF sufficient modern rifles
to arm the entire forces garrisoning
the frontiers Of Siberia, Tonquin and
along the seacoast. The army Of Ii
Hung Chang, the Chinese Prime
Minister and Viceroy OF the Province
Of Chilli, numbers about 100000
men, and is the flower of the EN-
pire. These troops are armed with
modern rifles, and have for years
been under the leadership Of German
and American officers, who have
brought them up to a state of disci-
pline and efficiency hardly second to
any similar body OF foreign troops.
1t is the possession OF this army, in
love with its chief, which has made
him so independent. Chihli is re-
garded as the gate to Peking, hence
the care and attention bestowed
upon the troops forming its garrison.
The Chinese soldier has little re-
gard for law and order, and despite
the. strict discipline and rigid pun
ishments inflicted, cannot be always
held in bounds. This is due in part
10 the comparatively little respect in
which native troops hold native com
manders. In country ruled as is
China there is little hope of redress
from higher authorities, and about
the only chance the soldier has is to
rise and kill his oppressors.
The Chinese confine themselves
chiefly to infantry. The total cav
airy force OF the active army is only
about 80, 600, and of artillery, 20, 600.
There is, however, an ''irregular"
class of cavalry which may number
nearly 10000 This force is armed
in the mo st primitive fashion.
The navy is a different stamp from
the army and the sailors have been
longer under the influence of foreign
officers. They are also more trust
worthy. Separated as they are from
the influences which surround the
men on shore, the sailors are free
from the temptations and conspira-
cies which have undermined the
| troops. The class OF men employed
on the vessels is also better. The
naval officers have been educated in
the various naval academies by for
eign instructors, and are taught and
disciplined according TO the systems
in vogue in the service OF the United
States, England and France.
The Imperial Government supports
three naval colleges for the education
of cadets or officers-one at Tien-
Tsin. another at Wei-Hai-Wo and
| the third at Foo-Chow. The instruc-
tors are graduates Of naval academies
Of foreign countries, those OF Annap-
oils predominating. The system OF
| instruction is as thorough as the Chi
nese boy can grasp, but is chiefly
practical rather than theoretical, so
that by the time TIE course is finish
ed the cadet is ready to assume his
duties on a man-of-war. The cadets
are usually chosen from the families
OF prominent officials living in the
seacoast provinces but members are
admitted from any other official and
mandarin class.
The Chinese Navy proper COM
prises about seventy men-of-war, not
I = 81