The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-25

its depths and bring the seething masses
of the population 10 a knowledge of their
strength and power. In that case the up
rising of talented and artful leader,
who could invest himself in the eyes OF
his countrymen with some thing OF the
mysterious and supernatural power which
helped to make the conquering heroes of
the ancient world, would prove a dire and
possibly fatal calamity to the nations who
now regard themselves as the rulers OF
the world.
There is no moving power in the world
to equal the pressure of over-population.
In one sense. China is not over-populated;
but it is over-populated in the sense that
almost the limit of the possible sustaining
power Of the empire has been reached.
China contains much waste land incapable
OF supporting great populations, but she
also contains many regions of marvellous
natural fertility. The more barren dis
tricts are not thickly inhabited, but they
are over populated. The fertile lands are
crowded to a crushing density. Not
withstanding this, population is increas-
ing in China, and will contiue TO increase,
because of the peculiar religious ideas
and social organization of the people.
| At present the mass of the Chinese
people know nothing Of what we are
pleased to call the civilized world Those
who migrate temporarily to other lands
are drawn almost entirely from few Of
the southern provinces, and, notwith-
standing the advance made by European
and American commerce, the knowledge
of the western world has not yet pene-
trated to the interior of the Flowery King
| dom. SHOULD this knowledge become
widespread as the result of some vast
agitation based upon religious pretudices,
and should the Chinese become aware
| Of the existence of rich and uncrowded
| territories to their westward. 1t is quite
| conceivable that they might come to re-
gard these regions as their heritage and
seek to take possession of them.
1t is not correct to regard the Chinese
as an effete nation. As individuals they
have proved themselves, in competition
with the Caucasion, to be more hardy and
enduring that he. The difficulties which
would overwhelm a highly organized
European army would present no insuper-
able barrier to an advancing horde of Ce-
lestials. 1t Is an old and accepted saying
that every army travels on its stomach"
and the great advantage of the Chinese
army in western invasion would be the
meagre requirements of the average yell
low mans interior. A few pounds of rice,
easily transported, in addition to what
could be secured from the country tray
ersed, would be sufficient to keep the SOL
der Of such an army upon his feet for a
long time. The question of the commits
sariat IS the most perplexing question in
every military movement but in the case
of Chinese invasion that question would
almost solve itself
While the Chinaman has not demon
strated himself to be a good soldier, It Is |
certain that he is good fighter. and that |
when capably led he will maintain a des- !
perate struggle even to a hopeless end. |
In the case Of war directed against the
Caucasian nations he would be fortified
by racial hatred and religious zeal.
The Chinese are perfectly capable Of
the use of the finest patterns
of modern arms and of supplying them
selves with munitions of war provided |
from their own workshops. At the pres
ent time it is known that they are equipp-
ed with a supply Of modern rifles far In
excess Of those that they have purchased
from European countries. and the conclu-
sion is obvious that these arms are the
result of the activities that have been
going on in the great workshops and ars-
enals constructed since the war with
Japan.
The announced strength Of the Chinese
10 CT hun hYr+
potential strength OF China for European
invasion IS more nearly ten times that
number. The possibilities of such a
force proceeding on the plan outlined are
almost beyond the power Of conjecture.
It is not difficult to see how it might,
even by the tactics now being employed
by the rebelllous Chinese, paralyze the
activities of the highly organized armies
of Europe.
The criticism may suggest itself that .
China is to be transformed by Caucasian
civilization and by Christianity into an ,
outward resemblance at least 70 the rest ]
If the world. Those Who know China :
pest will agree that the tZsk OF engraft- ,
ng Caucasian civilization upon accepted (
Jhinese ideals will be a very difficult one !
Ind that it viii be possible only If the }
strong hand Of strong power. or a CO. I
llition Of powers, Is kept steadily upon I
Ter :
That the Chinese nation ever will be '
only few zealots OF those
Who are familiar with existing conditions
viii believe. More money has been spent ,
nd greater sacrifices have been made
4 the cause OF Christianity, and with {
esq result, in China than in any other !
art Of the world It is generally admit {
ed In the eastthat but two motives lead q
Chinaman 70 adopt Christianity-the t
esire to escape punishment for some mis- /
emeanordemeanor and the ambition for I
smporary material benefit While this 6
nay not be universally true, there is 7
lenty Of evidence that It Is preva-
nifty So
One thing Is certain, and that f. that
he present situation requires careful a
1adlng on the part % the powers in
clyed lest they take the first step toward
using Up e yellow peril which in the
nj may overwheIm The white nations ~
le v7rld-t The maintenance OF Russia
5 buffer state between the MonEoI and 2
aucasian. even though It leads 20 the re-
ut generally referred 10 as the "Rus-
anizins" Of China Is Infinitely prefer n
BE TO an eventually that VIII be frauRht e.
ith peril 70 al the civilized nations Of "a
le world p
~ "A @-~H rata :.