Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-11-08
Hhrper's Weekly.

Hnrper's Weekly.
From the mass of conflicting reports
concerning the war between China and
Japan two facts stand out in strong re-
lief, namely, the defeat of the Chinese
army at Ping Yang on September 10th,
and that of their fleet off the mouth of
the Ialu river two days after. The Chi
nese losses in both engagements were so
great that the most rabid Chinese parti.
san could do no more than underrate
their Importance.
1t has not been difficult to foresee
such an outcome. Many had predicted
it at the outbreak of hostilities. But to
my mind the Chinese were defeated
before shot was fired or q flag un-
furled. Il is as much a foregone conclu-
sion as the humiliation of the French in
1870.
These, in brief, are my reasons for
making the above assertion: The roy-
eminent of China is not administered
by the natives, as it was before 1914.
The Emperor is Manchoo Tartar, and
Manchoos occupy all the places nearest
the throne, and hold most of the i'm
portant positions in the army. If a
Chinaman is ever given high office,
whether in the civil service or in the
army or navy, he IS watched by Man
choo official, who has power to report
his actions to the Emperor, or prevent
the execution of his plans altogether.
Thus in Picking the members of the
PriVy Council are one-half Chinese and
the other half Manchoos. Each admin.
istrative board has one Chinese chancel-
Tor and one Manchoo chancellor, and
two presidents, one of each nationality.
In the provincial capitals Tartar zen.
eral with his Manchoo garrison will
keep in check the Chinese governor
who has command of the militia. This
system of dual control and mutual
espionage runs through the whole no.
litical fabric, and gives rise to a vacil.
lating policy and an uncertain admins
tration Of affairs. The discretionary
power which is necessary to an execu-
tive seems to be vested in nobody but
the Emperor, while distrust, discord and
Jealousy prevail in all the various de.
par.ments of government.
In the field the commanding general
is oftentimes a civilian, who may or NAV
not have smelled gunpowder before.
But II he happens to be war veteran
and skilful commander, his move
ments are very likely directed By civil
ians many miles away from the scene
OF conflict. In the last case even the
genius of u Napoleon would have suf.
fefed an eclipse.
We find the Japanese a united nation
standing shoulder to shoulder, and
working in harmony for the common
good. The Chinese are divided bv racia'
and sectional antipathies. The Japanese
army and navy are inspired by love OF
country and love of glory. The Chinese
can see no glory in whipping tile japan
csc, nor find that their patriotism coulc
be shown in asserting the Manchoo En-
peror's supremacy in Corea.
Moreover, this war Is a government
affair, as the Shan-Toong people said in
excuse for not enlisting under the
imperial banners. The Chinese have
nothing to gain by it except increased
taxation. Their substance will b,
wasted and their blood vessels drained
IN defence of q claim which has beer
tacltly given up several times. They
have been and are still suffering from
famine, floods, and terrible plague
Their cup Of misery was almost full tc
overlooking. 1t only needed q foreign
war to make it flow over. 10 expec
the Chinese people to fight viii
enthusiasm against the japanese il
absurd. 1t is like asking the Bull
garians to fight against Russia for III,
supremacy OF the Turks in Roumania