New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-02
CHINESE MILITARY POSSIBILITIES

The serious troubles in China recall attention
to an incident of about a month ago which
though little noticed at the time must be re-
garded as one of the most significant in recent
chinese history. We refer TO the conduct of the
Chino-Britfsh troops at Wei-Hai-Wei. Upon Sc
curing possession of that place, less than two
years ago, the British set about the experiment
of organizing Chinese regiment for local DO
lice work. The experiment had been successful
with the Fellahs Of Egypt with the Houssas
Of West Africa. with negroes in the West
Indies. and Of course on a most impressive
scale with the Ghoorkas and Sikhs in India
There was much curiosity to whether it
would work equally well with the Chinese in
China. The regiment was Differed by English
men and equipped and drilled according to the
most approH eIs European style. 1t was not until
month ago. however, that there was an OPP
portunity off testing its efficiency In action
That opportunity came in the attack of O vast
armed Chinese mob upon the British officers
who were delimiting the boundaries of the Brit
ish concession at Wei-Hai-We The Chinese
regiment was ordered out 1t obeyed. 1t an
swered every command perfectly as the
Queens life Guards could have done In the
last dread emergency it fired upon the Chinese
mob with the steadness and precision of Euro
pean veterans. In brief the experiment was
complete success. Chinese soldiers under
proper command were shown to be good enough
for any army in the world
In that we say, there is significance that
is absolutely startling For If one Chinese regi-
ment can thus be created, why not thousand,
ten thousand such regiments? Nothing is
required but drillmasters and officers-and
Europe has more of them than she knows what
to do with-and money TO pay for modern equip
ment which it would not be difficult to procure
Suppose China should herself awaken to the
tremendous possibilities before her. She would
have merely to import few thousand European
officers, Of whom there are plenty eager for just
such job, and set them at work creating an
army for her In five years she might have an
army that could hold the world at bay if In
deed, it did not set forth to conquer the world
Where any European Power could put a COM
pany into the field she could put a regiment or
a brigade Or, suppose some other Power
should make such a development of Chinese
military resources for its own advantage Great
Britain has formed one regiment at Wei-Hai-
Wei for local police service. But Russia in
Manchuria might form an army of a million
or two-provided her officers have the adapta-
bility to the task which British officers have so
consplcuousy displayed Any Power that
should do would easily make itself the mas
ter of China, despite the protests of all the rest
of the world.
Such are the military possibilities of China
That they will be permanently ignored is not
to be expected. IF China does not find her
SELF some other Power will find her before
long. The question Is whether the work is to
be done for evil or for good China thus arming
herself for hostility to the Western World would
indeed be Yellow Peril, rivalling the most
ominous pictures Of the German Emperors
fancy. Scarcely less menacing would be such
use Of China by any other Power In what way
the military potency of the Empire can be de-
veoped without danger to Western civilization
or to the peace Of the world is a problem worthy
of the most serious thoughts Of the most seri-
Gus statesmen Japan affords an impressive
warning. That nation has suddenly developed
itself into one of the great military and naval
Powers of the world. Happily it is a beneicent
Power, using its strength only for self-mainte-
nance and not for aggression. But China thus
awakened would be equal to nine or ten Japans
and there would be no assurance that 1t would
be benefcent and would abstain from aggres,
sion.