The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-25
WoLsELEY ON CHINA.
Thinks 1t IL Pity TINT England Is
Not Running the Empire.
Baltimore sun.

bdltlIuuIc tSuIl.
In the February number Of the Cosmo-
politan. Gen. Lord Wolseley discusses in
terestingly the war between China and
Japan with reference rather to the lessons
which it teaches and the results which may
flow from it than its military aspects The
military and naval operations have not
been reported with sufficient fullness to en-
able him to express q professional opinion
upon the merits of the conflict as an ex-
hibition of military art, but from the gen
eral situation existing at the time his
article was written. he believes that 'un-
less during this winter China can organize
thoroughly efficient army of about 100000
men under English or other foreign officers,
she ought, by June next, to be under the
heels of her present invaders
Assuming this to be accomplished and
Japans demands settled, what will be Chi
mas future? VIII the downfall of the ex-
revolution or will the Emperor and his
ministers be able to adjust themselves to
reforms that will be absolutely necessary?
The manner in which t.ese qdesliona wil
be answered must largely depend, in Lord
Wolseley's opinion. upon the character and
ability of the young Emperor, who is now
only twenty-three years Of age. 1t might be
to the interest of Japan, and possibly of
weak as possible fer the future If not in
deed, to split her up into several indepen-
doubtless, be a new, and to some, a startling
factor in the great politics of Asia"
If the Emperor is strong and wise Lord
Wolseley thinks he will save his dynasty
and his country by calling lin the aid of
foreigners to create an army and command
it until he has had time to educate suffi-
cient number of able Cinnamon to replace
them At this moment all know of En-
glishmen whose services would be worth a
princes ransom to China, and who, if trust
ed as General Gordon was would soon pro-
vide the Emperor with another ever vic
AS to the possibility of devolving China
into great military power he has no
doubt. In his opinion she possesses every
essential requisite for national greatness.
Few races could make better soldiers under
proper training 'They are fine men, en-
dowed with great powers of endurance. in
dustrious and thrifty; they have few wants
and can live little, and that little poor
food. Absolutely Indifferent to death. they
not exhibited these soldierly qualities in the
present war is due to the manner in which
Witch s1 he holds in China. I'm japan the
soldier has in all ages headed the list in
their scale of social precedence, and he has
always been highly esteemed by all classes.
But the reverse of all this has been the
case in China, where the soldis- has long
been and still is at the foot OF the social
| spised. The contempt with which the edu-
| Gated Chnaman has for generations viewed
| the soldiers profession has been of itself a
| complete bar to military efficiency. In
| deed. it was only what we may fairly call
| the rubbish OF the nation VINO ever became
| officers in the Chinese army. The rank and
| file have for ages been drawn from the
| lowest, most idle and most dangerous class
| es in the empire" No army SO constituted
| can possess ''any practical fighting value :
| Such men can have no pride in courageous
| deeds, and can feel no shame in running
| away" Neither can patriotism appeal tc
them, for there can be no special incentive
| to dying for a country which despises the
! man who dies for it.
| But under a new regime. in which the mil
! itary profession should be one OF honor
! Lord Wolseley believes China would be q
| different nation This hardy clever race
whose numbers are to be counted in hum
! dreds of millions. needs only the quicken
/ ing. guiding, controlling hand and mind OF
1 a Napoleon to be converted into the great
/ est and most powerful nation that has ever
/ dictated terms to the world A Napoleon
| may not be forthcoming. but England II
| is suggested, could furnish leaders almost
| as good, who could put China into excellent
| fighting form without much difficulty. There
| is no concealment of the fact that England
] this work. England is not one Of the ma