The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-19
THE TERRIBLE CHINESE.
Methods They Are Devising to Keep
the Japs Out of Picking.


There be military. critics who predict a
glorious future for the Chinese empire when
its people, made wiser by defeat, shall have
adopted Western methods and the militant
every nook and corner of the Asian conti-
nent. Even now, in the midst of disaster,
would seem to have been begun. The Chi
nese war dog has been aroused and is tug
woe woe betde the helm Imprudent wojen who may
come within reach of it's tangs.
Hitherto the main difficulty which the
was the unfair methods of fighting resorted
to by the pestiferpus Japs. At Port Arthur,
for instance. according to the story COM
York Times by the fugitive Taotai of that
place, the ASSISTANTS behaved in most UNI
stead of standing up in mass, so that they
might furnish good target for the Chinese
marksinen, the Japs. separated into little
squads. advanced a few yards, and threw
themselves fiat on their stomachs; then up
they rose, ran ahead a little way, and down
they, went again. Such antics We're calcu-
world and there is little reason to wonder
that the Celestial defenders Of the fortress
ing straight for the Chinese cannon and
peeping into their muzzles to see whether
ously fianked the forts; and after having
captured one of them they We're mean
enough to turn Its guns upon their late
which have been telegraphed to the Chinese
plenipotentiaries at Nagasak include a
remonstrance against such shameful prac-
tices, and the Mikado will be asked to see
to it that they shall not be repeated
But. whatever may be their future policy
in this respect, the Japs will surely be ar
initiated should they venture to approach
too closely to Picking. The Mandarins
give the enemy warm reception. The
strategy to be employed against the Japs
will be strictly according to Chinese prece-
dents. The new defensive works at Shan
hai-Kuan have not been built upon the
mountain sides, commanding the Gate Of
China, in accordance with the prepoSterous
notions of the European advisers of the
Mandarins; but the clever strategists of new
China have had them constructed in hol-
low, so that they might not be discovered
by the enemy until they had approached
quite closely. when the defenders could
saiants The defenders Of fe PlffS
according to Chinese methods of reckoning.
number nearly 100000, which, translated
into English. means about 1900 riflemen and
perhaps 5000 or more baggage carriers But
the real defensive strength of the place
from a Chinese point of View does not con-
sist of rifle pits and such foreign kickshaws
as guns and cannon: the main reliance will
be upon several thousand bannermen. whose
waving flags of hideouS form and color are
expected to instil terror into the hearts of
the foe. Should the Japanese refuse to- be
given signal tons of cayenne pepper is to
he cast into the air by the Chinese braves
with the idea that favorable Wind might
watt II toward the advancing enemy. Then
frightful massacre of the blinded and
sneezing armies of the Mikado is to ensue
and Picking is TO be saved.
But all OF these plans may be superseded
by the general order reported to have been
issued by the Ficeroy TO the Chinese troops
TO run away. This later order WILL no
doubt. be obeyed implicitly. and thus the
marvellous discipline which has been at
tanned by the hosts of regenerated China
win have been demonstrated. What could
withstand the shock of the Celestial
myriads on the. run? The English and
Russians would be swept out of Asia like
chaff before the wind. and all Europe might
be overwhelmed by the terror of the
Chinese.