The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-10-26

CHINA'S FIGHTING FORCE
Strength and Equipment of the
Army and Navy.
Troops Commanded by German and Amer
lean Officers and Armed with Inn
proved Weapons-The Chi
nese soldiers.

nese a. SOldiers.
China has made great efforts in the
last few years to bring her army and
navy nearer the standards of those of
| western nations. says the New York
Tribune. The total strength of the
army is about six hundred thousand
| men. of whom more than two hundred
| thousand are permanently stationed
for the garrison of the city of PclIing
! the others being scattered throughout
| the various provinces of the empire
| Besides these there is an Informed
| organization, which might be called a
| militia. which gets small pay and never
serves with the colors. The discipline
| of the army is good. and so far as mill
| tary puniShmentS are concerned there
| Is hardly a more stringent organiza-
| tion 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 diff
ference in this regard. as the Ameri-
can. German and English officers en-
| plOyed by the government have done
! all IN their power to effect proper
! changes.
In addition to the troops mentioned
| there are the various provincial forces
| which are enlisted. paid and controlled
| 10y 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 divi-
| Sions-the real Chinese soldiers divided
| into red. white. blue and yellow divi-
sions. SO-called from the color of their
battle flags.
The arms of most of these troops
were until recently of the most primi-
tive types. 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 batalions have been pro-
vlded with the most improved modern
arms. Two years ago several Chinese
officials were sent so Europe to negoti-
ate for the purchase of sufficient mod
crn rifles To arm the entire forces gar
riSoning the frontiers of Siberia Ton
quin and along the sea coast. The army
of Ii Hung Chang. he Chinese prime
minister and viccroy of the province of
Chilli. numbers about one hundred
Thousand men. and is the flower of the
empire. 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 discipline and eff
ticiency hardly second to any similar
body of foreign troops 1t is the pos
session of this army. in love with its
chief which has made him 50 indcDen-
dent. Chilli is regarded as the rate to
Picking. hence the care and attention
bestowed upon the troops forming its
garrison.
The Chinese confine themselves
chiefly to infantry The total cavalry
force of the active army is only thirty
thousand. and of artillery twenty
thousand. There is. however. an ''ir-
regular class of cavalry which may
number nearly one hundred thousand.
This force is armed in the most primi-
tive 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 in fiuences which surround the men
on shore. the sailors are free from the
temptations and conspiracies 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 acad-
emieS 10y foreign instructors. and are
taught and diScipled 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-IIaI-Woi and the
third at Foo-Chow. The instructors
are graduates of naval academies of
foreign countries. those of Annapolis
predominating. The system of instruc-
tion is as thorough as the Chinese boy
can grasp. but is chiefly practical
rather than theoretical, So that 10y the
time the course is finished 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 comprises
about seventy men-of-war. not includ-
ing many small transports and revenue
cutters which in time of need, such
the present. can be armed and placed
in active service. The vessels are
manned and officered by Chinese sub
jects. the only foreigners allowed on
them being the instructors in special
departments. Such as gunnery, seaman
ship. electricity or torpedoes- As soon
as Chinese instructor qualities the
foreigner returns to the academy. Most
vessels of the Chinese fleet have been
built abroad.
The Chinese navy is divided into two
fleets. The northern, or Peyang squad
ron. with headquartersat at Wei-liai-Noi,
has under its jurisdiction the protec-
tiOn and defence of all the coast lying
to thc northward of Foo-Chow. and the
Tanyang. or southern squadron, with
headquarters at Canton. which Is to de
fend all the coast south of Foo-Chow.
Each squadron hashits own admiral,
but Is governed directly by the Vice
roys Of Chihli and Canton respectively,
who are held personally responsible by
the emperor for the efficiency and war
like condition of the two fleets.
Iompous Little Chap
Alfonso. king of Spain. is now n lit
tie more than eight years of age, and a
pompous little chap he il, which is not
to be wondered at when Spanish eti
quctte is considered. His slumbcrs are
watched throughout the night by the
MonteruS de ESpinoSa. a body of men
who for four hundred years have en-
loved the exclusive privilege of guard
ing the king or queen from sunset to
sunrise They are bound by tradition
to he natives of the town of Espinosa,
and must have served with honor in