Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-04

necessity for establishing an impregna-
BILE base of supplies, one from which
ratfonS for the soldiers, fodder for
horses and mules ammunition for arms
of every size from rifles to fieldpieces
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
slbll1ties 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 have 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 accesst-
bic, they reason, the primary adyan-
tages of war, instead of remaining with
them, would have rested with their enc
mics. for isolation has been their
Watchword and their safeguard
Out or the eXigencies of this recent
march upon Peking will spring 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
VIII accentuate 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 its roads and it's
facilities for traffic. There are said to
be 10000 miles of roads in China" saws
Lord Charles Beresford, nearly all of
Whlch We're made in the reign of
FORMER emperor. l visited Picking about
~ years ago. On my return, in 1898, l
FOUND 1t unchanged, except that it was
~ times dirtier, the smells 80 times
more insufferable and the roads 30
years the worse for wear"
There is probably no country on earth
with a claim to civilization that has
such imperfect methods of transporta-
ton as China They are primitive, 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-
la adjacent to the northern boundary
OF CHINA are the home of sturdy breeds
OF horses which supply the whole en-
pre-, ana 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-Ii fairly swarms
with them.
horses, mules and donkeys fail,
tnere are the great shaggy camels of
central Asia which at certain seasons
or 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 ard Siberian consumption. These
camels are hardy and strong, more
Injured TO cold than to heat, and, tray-
cling mainly at night, the long cara
vans swing past Peking's walls and
over the plains that are sometimes
dusty and hot, at others knee deep In
water and mud. 1t matters not to the
cameis whether they are used in carry
ing salt and coal or powder and light
neld guns; they are probably available
Tor Whatever use may be desired Of
them. AS beasts of burden they are
unequaled, being docile and enduring
and capable of carrying heavy loads.
such OF them as are trained may be
harnessed to sledges, as in the northern
districts. Their feet are large and
spongy. and thus are enabled to make