The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-02-23
This Acknowledgement Letter.

the Late Oriental War substantiate.
This Statement Interesting Letter
Staff HEADQUARTERS, Second division
of the Imperial Japanese army, Tape
lefu, Formosa, Dec. "a, 1895.
To the Editor of the Eagle
In the issue Of Oct. 90, of your journal
find an editorial headline Big War
Talk" which deals with the war ru-
mors current at that time, as well as ex-
pressing an opinion regarding the ORR
ent and its position with other foreign
powers.
Tt is your opinion that Russia would
find a willing ally in China. This may
be so, as far as China is concerned. The
defenseless empire might consider 1t to
its advantage TO grant certain conces-
sions TO Russia in return for the pro-
lection that could be given China, pro-
vided England would not interfere,
(Which, however, 1t would, and probab-
| ~ be aided by Germany also). But
the assumption that Russia would bur-
den itself with such an incumbrance as
China, for an ally, in order to have the
aid of it's land and naval forces, is sim
ply ludicrous.
Poor old Chinal whose troops could
not defeat small gang Of bandits near
her southern boundary; whose troops
did not dare 10 attack few small tribes
| of savages in Formosa; whose armies
| fed like sheep before the japanese
forces.
| The military resources Of that empire
| China cannot be judged properly by
| the events Of It's futile war with Japan.
I do not agree with you. The war
with Japan opened the eyes of the world
| TO the true weakness of China; for, re-
! gardless of the resources of the empire,
which could not be brought into use in
! any coming war, Japan stripped the
| Chinese troops Of their bravado and con-
ceit, and exposed to the world. an army
with scarce a true soldier in its ranks.
| China's resources, as to men and equip
ment, are enormous, but it's resources Of
men that can and will fight, are nil.
1t was the common plea at the beginn-
ing of the late war, that the Chinese,
possessing such superiority of numbers,
were not victorious because they were
poorly equipped and were under COM
mand of unmilitary officers who retreat
ed at the first view Of the enemy. As
the war came to a close these argu-
ments We're cast aside, and the best
friends of the Chinese were forced to ad
It's men were brave enough when well
Differed, the Eagle says. The facts as
shown in the history of China's battles
uD to date, do not substantiate this
statement
The Chinese will fight each other, IL
their forces are about equally divided, !
and they are driven TO it. During the |
TAPPING rebellion, the Chinese forces |
under Gordon were we'll equipped, and |
were commanded by foreign officers. |
They were fighting men of their own |
class, and they fought we'll In this |
they remind me Of an animal found in |
the north, resembling our coyote in size |
and appearance, who will run in mortal |
fear from a rabbit, but when fighting |
its own kind puts UP battle that would |
do credit to a bengal tiger. In a battle |
IN North FOdnosa, the Chinese troops |
were under command Of General Chung, |
whom / was then with. The force was /
advancing against the japanese, and (
Chung was courageously leading his |
troops to battle. Upon coming within .
range, a few rounds were exchanged, |
and several Chinese killed, which had
a terrorizing effect on the remainder,
who turned tall and fed over the hills
Ike hunted deer, leaving Chung and his
body guard unprotected on the field, TO
Were the pride of the army; we'll equip
ped; well drilled, and disciplined. There
have been many similar instances dur
ing the late war
Some of the Chinese were we'll and
some poorly equipped, but the results
were about the same. There were not
better forts in all Asia than at Port
Arthur and Wei-Hai-Wei The arma-
ment was in charge of expert gunners.
What did It matter? These magnifl-
cent structures might as well been made
of sand. and armed with jing-galls, they
were so easily taken.
June 8, while IN Kehing, attached to
the Chinese army, as I witnessed thous-
ands Of troops marching IN to defend the
strongholds against the approaching
Japanese, 1 could but feel that the en-
gagement would be a severe one for the
enemy. The natural formation OF the
surrounding country. Its high hills
crowned with magnificent forts, pro-
tected by modern guns Of big calibre,
the Chinese troops outnumbered the
Japanese five to one, and armed with
mansers and repea ting Win
chester rifles, TO me made the Chinese
situation seem almost invincible. The
next morning the japanese appeared
over the distant hills, and the battle
|
the greater part OF that time was spent
by the Chinese in trying to find safe
means Of escape. They were absolute
ly crazy with fear! If one soldier in q
company was killed. II was enough TO
start the whole file; they would throw
down their guns and run for their lives,
casting off their uniform on the way. :
The many similar scenes l have wit
messed would fill a book
The cause OF this universal cowardice |
can only be partially explained; and
fear you would not grant me the space
10 cover the subject thoroughly. Suf-
ice II 10 say. that the people of China /
have for centuries been 50 subject to | {
the tyranny Of their superiors. that II
has absolutely DESTROYED all trace of 7
courage from their nature 7
The Chinese regard the profession oF
armies with diSdain, and the man who :
can write a good essay IS held in far ]
higher estimation than the most dough
y champion in battle. One of the early !
Chinese proXlute-LaotZu-ta his ,
followers THAI war was hateful. and ne
nculcated the duty Of turning the other
,neek 70 the smiter, and Of reJreaung
before all forms Of violence.
Patriotism and public spirit are two
things that ara utterly incomprehensi-
Die 20 the Chinese mind.
Thus, 70 be brave. al the risk OF ones
lie, = not considered a virtue IN the
estImation Of the people; il offers no ad- J
-anIaSe, and the Disadvantages an
many In times OF peace. as 4 means %
gaining livelihood. Il Il considered as
any mental employment, but when il 1 T
eoTeS 70 actual engagement in the field. q
ne situation a. once becomes undeSir- :