Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-26

elcd. When the ideas that have gov erned China for many centuries are forcibly changed, we may be certain that the reaction will be complete, and that the Yellow Dragon will become tue most formidable battle ensign on the earth. Nothing is so sure to pro- duce this change as war, that will teach China that it's vast population and wealth cannot be preserved with out military establishment, formed and maintained upon modern military principles.
 '"The most reliable estimates give the population of China at little less than four hundred millions, or more than one-fourth of the entire human race. My own observations lead me to think that these figures are exaggerated, though to what extent it is impossible to guess. I remember that while in Pekin, the most careful observers esti- mated the population of that city at about one-third of the figure given in statistical works. Similar overesti- mates are very probable in regard to other Chinese cities, as the houses are generally but one story high, and with court yards or enclosures, so that the cities cover far more ground than would be used by the same population in Europe.
 But allowing for an enormous overestimate, we must admit the fact that the Chinese empire far exceeds in numbers any other in the world. Under the absolute rule and direction of it's sovereign, welded firmly to- gether by it's traditional conversatism, free from the socialistic or anarchistic lamentations which impair the power of European governments, it needs only an impetus toward military de- velopment to become the strongest fighting nation on the globe. She will be obliged for time to obtain her generals, her staff and even her subordinate officers from abroad.
 Chinese troops can be maintained at much less expense than is necessary with Europeans or Americans. They are quick to learn, and under good ofR- cers would soon attain high state of discipline, and should become expert in the use of modern arms. The day has already past when the Chinese sol dier relied upon the grotesque face painted on his shield and the fzzing of fire-crackers, to terrify and rout his enemy, just as the fine modern war ships of the navy have displaced the old junks with their unpleasant ord nance of 'stink-pots' It is true that the army still retains much that is an tiquated and ridiculous in it's equip ment, but the exigencies and expert ences of a long war would certainly re- suit in the manufacture by the Chinese of the best modern weapons, and once impressed by the necessity for such arms, the rulers would see that their arsenals were always amply filled.
 "The testimony of Gordon and others is sufficient to prove the courage and fighting quality of the Chinese soldier, when properly commanded. The his- tory of The Ever Victorious Army abounds in instances of individual hero ism and coolness and tenacity under trying circumstances. With an army in proportion to it's vast population and developed on the lines of modern mili- tary science, Russia and England would find their supremacy in Asia lost. hi the event of war they would find a most formidable enemy, able to pour army after army across their frontiers, long before their home forces could be sent to protect them. Even the broad Pacific ocean does not securely guard our western coast as to preclude the possibility of attack, in the event of d quarrel with. China, and the Chinese navy will probably be as powerful pro- portionately as the army"
 Of the fighting qualities of the Jap anese Mr. Walker speaks enthusiastic ally. In his opinion they are the equals of any troops in the world, and their reckless bravery and utter indifference to danger strongly impressed him, as # has everyone who has had opportuni- ties of observing them. The writer re- members hearing similar expression in regard to them from Gen. Grant shortly after he visited Japan on his tour around the world. That famous soldier was not usually enthusiastic in his expressions, but he surprised his hearers on the occasion mentioned by his high praise of the mikado's troops. In action they are described as fight ing as stubbornly and as earnestly as the fanatical followers of El Mahdi. They may be relied upon to give their enemies of the middle empire most ef fective object lessons whenever they meet, and their forces are quite sufa- cient in numbers to maintain the war for long time against the hundreds of millions of China, even if they fail in the end.
 Though much improvement has been made in the Chinese army in the last few years, great deal remains of the old methods, that appear indescribably absurd to educated soldiers. 1t is not very long since Chinese army, when