The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-28
WILL CHINA FIGHTs

WILL
There is nothing surprising in the an
nouncement that owing to the arrival Of six
Italian war ships in San-Mun harbor the
Chinese government has ordered the vice.
provinces TO put all their forces on a war
footing. The dispatch. which comes from
Shanghai, says ii is thought also the Chinese
propose to drive the Germans from Shan
Tung peninsula. This may be the beginning
Of a movement on the part of china to re-
sist the occupation Of Chinese territory and
the threatened ~dismemberment of the en-
pire by European powers. The fact that
China has not before this made any serious
resistance to the dismembering process can
only be attributed to helplessness, but 1t
could hardly be expected that its govern
ment would submit to the proceeding in
definitely without at least an effort to main
tain the country's rights and defend its ter
ritory. The Chinese government is the most
ancient In the world, and with an area
nearly a third greater than that of the
United States, including Alaska, and a pop
NV tbdh v tAAAACS 80 Atct -
would be strange indeed If its rulers should
ubmit quietly to the carving and distribu-
ton Of territory without an effort TO pre-
vent 1t. Ignorant and uncivilized as the peo-
pie are, judged by European standards, they
are a proud and Jealous people. devoted to
their ancient forms and traditions and ready
to fight for them IL need be. OF intelligent
patriotism in the sense that 1t is understood
by Western nations they have none, but
they have a certain narrow and fanatical
devotion to their country which might serve
as a pretty good substitute for patriotism,
once be aroused and inspired with a COM
mon idea and aim they might make a fight
that would astonish the world. At first,
however, it would be a losing fight, for
China is utterly unprepared for war. Its
traditional policy OF isolation and its free
dom for ages from outside interference have
resulted in making 1t the least warlike and
most helpless Of all nations. It's military es-
ta~blishmept consists Of the Manchu forces,
a sort of exclusive organization. and the
national Chinese army, raised and main
tanned by the provincial governments. Ac-
cording to Lord Charles Beresford, who has
recently published a work on China, no one
knows the real strength Of the Chinese
army, not even the Chinese government IT
self. The Manchu armies are supposed to
be in the aggregate about 10000 strong. but
none Of them Is efficient either in drill. dis
ciplipa or roonf1otiop The orpofaS IN fha
provinces, corresponding to our state
militia, are maintained at the expense Of
the viceroys. Lord Beresford, who was
given every opportunity to ~acquaint himself
with the condition of these armies. found
them very inefficient. He speaks highly OF
the physique of the men, but says the
armies were poorly organized, undrilled am
undisciplined, yet they were for the most
part well armed. and, he believed, might
make good soldiers. After mentioning sew
eral Of the provincial armies which he in
spected, he says: Besides the armies that
4 have enumerated. there are the Monaghan
cavalry. They are excellent men and ruled
by their own princes under a system of
feudal tenure. / was informed that they are
devoted to the present dynasty. An army
of 100000 Mongolian cavalry ought to be a
very formidable force" OF the provincial
armies in general Lord Beresford says:
From all that / have heard and seen 1 be-
lieve they would make splendid soldiers if
properly trained. and If fed, paid and
clothed according to their contract with the
authorities. They have all the characters
tics necessary to make a good soldier. They
are sober, obedient, easily managed, and
very quick at learning" To sum up the
situation briefly, China is an immense coun-
try with a teeming population and vast
undeveloped military resources. If it's gov
eminent should conclude to make war
against the invading European powers
China would doubtless get the worst of it at
first, owing to lack of preparation, but
eventually might possibly drive them all out
of the country and perhaps build up the
largest army in the world.