New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-05
CHINESE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.


STRENGTH OF THE ARMY AND NAvY-rHE
BRAVERY AT THE BATTLE OF FooCHow.
China has made great efforts in the last few years
% bring her army and nearer the standards OF
those Of Western nations. The total strength or the
army IL about 10000 men. OF whom more than 2UVW
are permanently stationed for the garrison OF the
city Of Peng the others being scattered throughout
the various provinces OF the Empire. Besides these
there IL an Informed 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 con-
cerned there is hardly a stringent organization
In the world. As a fighting force. however, IN the
opinion Of most foreign military men, the Chinese
Army has never counted for much But the last
few years may have made a great difference IN this
regard as the American. German and English OIL
GERS employed by the Government have done All In
their power TO effect proper changes
In addition to the troops mentioned there are 'he
v,rous nrovlncla forces which enlisted paid and
,n,ro;ed by the viceroys OF the provinces and man.
darns Of the cities in which they may be quartereo'
These are known the Army OF the Green stan
dard in contradfstnction to the Manchu divisions
the real Chinese soldiers divided into red white oiue
and yellow divisions, so-cailed from the @'i'' "a
their battle flags.
The arms Of most OF these troops were until re-
csntly OF the mos; primitive types ana cons4s'eo
principally OF long spears or knives secured 20 lohe
roies bows and arrows and c!uos Within '"e aSS
f,w wears however many OF these battaions nave
been prov!Ied with the most improved MODERN arms
Two years ago several Chinese officials were sent 10
Europe 10 negotiate for the purchase OF suincieht
rcoaarn rifles 10 arm the entire forces Sarrlsohlhs
the frontiers Of Siberia Tonqu.n and along the sea-
coast The army Of II Hung Chang, the Chihese
Prime Minister and Viceroy Of the Province Oh
Chill numbers about 10000 men, and IS the mower
Of the Empire These troops are armed with MODERN
rtaes and have for years been under the leadership
~ German and American officers. who have brought
,hAnl I'D 20 a state OF discipline and eiic!ehcy nary
saconi 10 any similar body of foreign troops !. -
tho nossasson Of this army In love with us chier
which has made him independent Chill Is re-
garded as the gate Picking. hence the care ana
attention bestowed upon the troops forming Its gar
rson.
The Chinese soldier has little regard for law ana
order and despite the strict discipline and riga pun,
ishnents inflicted cannot be always held IN oouhus
This is due in part the comparatively tte respect
IN which native troops hold native commanders In
, country ruled as is China there is little nope OF
redress from higher authorities, and about the only
chance the soldier has is TO rise and XIII MS OPP
press0rs. .
The Chinese connne themselves chiefly to infah'ry.
The total cavalry force OF the active army 10 oh'y
abou. 900 and OF artillery 10000 There Is, now
ever an ..lrregular' class OF cavalry which may
number nearly 100000 This force is armed in the
mos; primitive fashion. 49,. ~, arr,v
ence OF foreign officers. They are also more trust s
Worthy Separated they are from tne innu-
orras which surround the on shore, the saii-
ors are free from the temptations ana consp,ia a.
~ men EMPLOYED on the vessels is also better.
The naval officers have been educateu IN r,e va
are taught and disciplined according 70 the sys-
TENS in vogue in the service OF the Chi'eu N'a'e''
The imperial Government supports three naval
colleges for the education Of cadets or ts thine
a. Foo.o-how The instructors are graduates OF naval
academies of foreign countries those Oh
a. thorough as the Chinese boy can grasp oIt Is
chiefly practical rather than theoretical so ,ha s
ready to assume his duties on man-ot-war,;; me
cadets are usually chosen from th 'n seacoast prov
noes but members admitted from any other
official and MANDARIN class ,r,sos onou, SOW.
entv men-of-war. not including many small trans
ports and revenue cutters "hien n ue 10 IN
active service. The vessels are manned ana oH,-
GereI p ON hem being the instructors in special
departments. such as gunnery' seamanship, eiec'
.nciyor ouaiifes the foreigner returns to the
academy Most vessels of the Chinese fleet have
De The Chinese navy is divided into fleets the
northern Peyang squadron WIN neaua qua nn
at WeHai-Wo has under It's jurseiiG,n me pro Ss
lection and defence Of all The coast Iying % me
northward OF FooChow and the Tanyans or SoStn
10 - defend all the coast south Of Foo-Chow. Each
squadron has its admiral. but is governed al
49, S~ me Vicerovs OF Chihi and Canton respec-
,vev who are he'd personally responsible by the
Emperor for the efficiency and war.ike eohoi''on
of he Two fleets. -, . ,rr.
An authority writing Of the army ana navy 'W ~,
vea~s ago saws: The Chinese Army, owing 10 i.s
nrimitive weapons. has never shown ITSELF capaDss
- successfully opposing foreign force out VIE VIZ
mo changes recently wrought in the personnei anu
rms the army Will probably In the next war
redeem many Of its lost .aures the Cnnese ,>ar NJ
has on All occasions shown record o, praveIy a
Hevotion which in other nations would nave sdne n
more merit than in China. AT the oaI.ie o. hns
~, tn August 1854 a few obsolete Cninese snPs
nsIw untI the last vessel was blown up tns
attack Of an overpowering Frenea SOU ana armor
M ennn;ed with torpedoes. For me mex. vat W.
must foresee that things have greatly o"a"seu'