The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-01

necessity for establishing an impregna-
BILE base of supplies, one from which
rations for the soldiers, fodder for
horses and mules, ammunition for arms
of every size from rifles to feldpieces
and all the vast paraphernalia of an
army which could not depend upon the
country, might be obtained when need
ed This was particularly essential in
a country like China, with its swarm
ing millions, which might be either
friendly or hostile. These people are
almost wholly without patriotism and
are as ready to sell supplies. such as
they can furnish, to foe as to friend, as
was proved during the war between
China and Japan. But these casual
contributions are unreliable and not to
be taken into account in an invasion of
the country.
To counteract the wiles and strata
gems of the million massed population,
as well as of the armed battalions of
the Chinese forces, their foe must be on
guard at every point and equipped in
every particular. Disregarding the pos
sibilities of the invaded province for
sustentation and of the people for as
sistance in transportation. the foreign
army must take with it every ton of
provisions needed for an advance into
the interior.
As to the thing of which civilized
countries ave complained most-the
splendid isolation of China's capital
doubtless the Chinese themselves have
seen cause for congratulation in this
very fact. Had it been more a~ccessi-
BILE, they reason. the primary advan-
tages of war, instead of remaining with
them, would ave rested with their ne
mics. for isolation has been their
watchword and their safeguard.
Out of the exigencies of this recent
march nnnn Picking will GnFinV the
force necessary for China's rehabilita-
ton, for the difficulties attendant upon
the transportation of men and supplies
in that land of day before yesterday
will the fact that in the
matter of transit facilities she is far
behind the age.
A country's status is fairly indicated
by the condition of it's roads and it's
facilities for traffic. There are said to
be 20.G00 miles of roads in Chtna,s<says
Lord Charles Beresford, nearly all of
which were made in the reign of a
former emperor. I visited Picking about
30 years ago On nay return, in 1898, I
found it unchanged, except that 1T was
30 times dirtier, the smells 80 times
more insufferable and the roads 80
ear the verse for wear"
There is probably no country on earth
with a claim to civilization thai has
such imperfect methods of t~ransporta-
a. 4C ~ 1DE1 4TG DT1LlltlREs even
archaic. and the people pursue the
same means of getting about as they
did thousands of years ago There is,
however. plenty of raw material. if the
quartermasters can lick it into shape.
In the first place, the plains of Mongo-
liza adjacent to the northern boundary
of China are the home of sturdy breeds
of horses which supply the whole en-
pire, and as for mules, there are no lar
ger. stronger beasts to be found any
where than those of Manchuria, while
the province of Pe-chi-lf fairly swarms
with them.
If horses, mules and donkeys fail.
there are the great shaggy camels of
central Asia which at certain seasons
of the year come to Tien-tsin in cara
vans. bearing enormous loads of wool,
hides and fur, which are exchanged for
great baskets of brick tea" for Rus
sian and Siberian consumption. these
camels are hardy and strong, more
Injured to cold han to heat, and, trav-
cling mainly at night, the long cara
vans swing past Pekfng's walls and
dusty and hot, at others knee deep in
camels whether they are used in carry
ing salt and coal or powder and light
field guns they are probably available
for whatever use may be desired of
them As beasts OF burden they are
unedualed, being docile and enduring
and capable of carrying heavy loads.
Such Of them as are trained may be
harneBsed to sledges. as in the northern
districts. Their feet are large and
sponey, thus are enabled to make