Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-20
CHINA'S FIGHTERS
Lord Charles Beresford's Observations
on the Celestial Armies.
GOOD RAW MATERIAL FOUND
Corrupt Administration One Of the
Crying Evils.
MANY KINDS OF ARMS
MANY KINDS OF ARMS

nese armies Is contained in Lord Charles
Beresford's book THE Breakup of Chi
na," published last year by the Harpers 1t
was in the form Of the report made by the
famous English sailor-statesman to the
chambers of commerce of London, for
which he toured China In the interests Of
the maintenance Of the open-door policy.
The following extract relates to the land
forces of the empire:
No one knows the real strength of the
Chinese armes-not even the Chinese gov
eminent itself.
The military forces are divided; some are
Manchu and some are Chinese. The Manchu
forces are quite exclusive, no Chinese serv
ing in their ranks. but the Chinese forces
have some Manchus among them.
The armies in the north and about Pekin
are nearly all commanded by Manchu
princes. The Manchu armies are supposed
to be 10000 strong. but there is no Manchu
army efficient either in drill, discipline or
organization throughout the empire. The
Manchu force is divided and quartered in
| most of the big towns throughout China,
such as Marking, Hangchow, Foochow.
Canton and other places. All the Manchu
armies are under the command of Manchu
or Tartar generals. They have consider
able privileges over and above those al
lowed to the Chinese. Every Manchu.
whether in the army not, is supposed to
be given his rice and three taes a month
by the government. If not belonging to the
army, he is liable to be enrolled if required.
Nobody knows the amount of imperial tax
alton that is devoted to pay the Manchus.
1t is variously computed as from fl. 900 600
to f3,0OOOOO sterling. Like other sums in
the hands of the government, most of the
money finds it's way into the pockets of
the officials and is not expended as intend
ed. The vlceroys of the provinces have no
command or authority over Manchu armies
commanded by Manchu generals. The Man
chu generals have considerable rights in
the provinces where they quartered
over Manchu subjects.
A Complex System.
All the armies In the provinces are main
tained at the expense of the viceroys, with
the exception of Manchu garrisons. In the
province OF Chilli, General Yuan Shi Kais
| army and the imperial armies at and
around Pekin are maintained by the board
of revenue out of imperial taxes. These
state-paid imperial armies are not supposed
to be sent away from the vicinity of Pekin
Every soldier throughout the empire is
supposed to receive taels q shillings)
month. There are different systems in every
province and In every army as to pay, food
and clothing. In some armies the men are
paid to feed and clothe themselves. In other
armies they are fed and clothed. This mat
ter Is left entirely in the hands of the
general commanding. AS the generals, like
all authorities in China, only have a nomi-
nal salary. they make large profits or
SqueeZeS curing their command. In order
to report an instance, l questioned one OF
those in command when in Pekin. He in
formed me that he commanded 700 men.
l ascertained all that he actually COM
manded was 800. His method Is common to
China. He receives the money to pay and
feed and cothe 10000 men. If his army was
to be inspected he hires coolies at 200 cash
(512 pence) day to appear on parade. This
Is well known to the inspecting officer, but
he receives a douceur to report that he has
inspected the army and has found it in
perfect order.
The army Is entirely voluntary service
but when once a man has joined it, it is
difficult If not impossible. to leave it.
A Review.
On October 81, 1885, 1 went to Hsiao
Chan to visit General Yuan Shi Kali and
to attend a review of his troops. 1 stayed
two days and one night with the general,
and during that time 1 not only saw all
his troops paraded and Unanswered, but
had ample opportunity to examine the
equipment of all their arms. 1 also visited
the stores, clothing and provisions. made
myself acquainted with the complement
Of each regiment. and went carefully
through the monthly pay sheets of the
whole army. I have every detail connected
with the establishment and maintenance Of
this force.
The strength of the army was I 400 men
mostly Shantung men. These and the
Hunarese are reported to make the best
Is Chinaman. and his army is composed
| OF Chinese. The infantry were armed with
Mauser rifies-German make. He had ten
six.gun batteries of artillery of different
cal1bers, throwing from one-pound to six
pound projectiles. The cavalry were armed
with lances and a Mauser infantry rifle On
parade the whole force appeared an ex-
ceptionally smart body of men of extreme
ly fine physique. They were evidently well
fed and their uniforms were serviceable and
well kept Most of the armies are clothed
IN an ordinary Chinese dress, with a large
padge sewn on In front and rear At NV
request the general put them through yari-
Gus parade movements, and then carried
out maneuvers in the surrounding coun-
Try winch proved to me that both officers
and men were thoroughly conversant with
their duties. Their discipline was excel
lent. With the exception of the artillery
ana the Maxlms, all equipment was service
able and efficient. l suggested to the gem
eral to practically test the equipment Of
the artillery and Maxims by gallopine
them over some rough ground. The result
was to prove conclusively that the eonin-
ment was useless.
An Intelligent Omcer.
I found the general most energetic and
intelligent, and a well-informed and we'll
educated man. He is also a thorouphly
patrlotlc Chlnaman, and most loyal to the
dynasty He expressed genuine anxiety
as to the future of his country, and was
quite Of opinion that unless she undertook
some measure for her own preservation
nothing could save her falling to pieces.
He said. now that China was weak, ali
Europe, while protesting the most sincere
good Will toward her, was Selling portions
OF the empire under cover Of naval and
military demonstrations. I asked the gen
eral If he could make any suggestion that
would be for the benefit of China, and at
the same time one which European coun-
tries would assent to. The general an
swered that no proposal that the Chinese
could make would receive the consent of
the European powers; that the Chinese
would naturally make proposition for the
maintenance Of the empire, while European
countries showed by their actions that they
wished to split up the empire and divide il
among themselves.
The general was very sympathetic with
regard to the question of reorganizing the
Chinese army as one imperial army, but
thought that the command and the finance
should be entirely in the hands of the Chi
nese, even If foreign officers were en-
ployed.
If all the Chinese generals were like Gen,
Yuan Shi Kai the armies and the financial
arrangements would not be in the condition
they are now. Gen. Yuan Shi Kai spends
tho money he receives for his army as in
Ar .1saI