The evening times., 1900-06-19

al equipment OF the Chinese Army.
In the latest edition Of Jerrom's Armies
CT The World it is recited that: TO at
tempt any estimate OF the forces Of China
is impracticabIe. The black flags. formed
o. the 0GcIeus OF GOrlou's Talpln Army
and trained by European officers may al
their bes. have numbered about 50. 600
men Beyond that it is unsafe to go. But
English officers Of distinction believe that
the Chinese soldier when trained. viii
make an efficient fighter"
Lord Charles Beresford has written II
his work on The Breakup OF China. % the
following. In the reference received
from the President Of she Associated Cham
bers OF Commerce. 1 was particularly ask
ed TO report whether the organization Of
the Chinese civil and military administra-
tion is sufficiently complete 20 ensure ade-
quate protection 20 commercial ventures 0"
He wrote that he found that no securi-
ty whatever exist for development Of Brit
ish trade and commerce within the Chi
nest Empire, and further no security ex-
lists low for British trade outside Of the
treaty ports l refer to that security which
only can be given by effective military and
police organization No one knows the
real strength of the Chinese armies not
even the Chinese Government Itself
The military forces are divided, some are
Nanchu and some are Chinese The Man
chu forces are quite exclusive. no Chino e
serving \ their ranks: but the CHR ese
have some Manchus serving among then.
The armies in the north and about Pc
kin are nearly all commanded by Manchu
princes. and the Manchu armies are sup
posed to be about I70. 900 strong. but none
of these armies is efficient either in drill
! discipline, or organization The general
officers are either Nanchus or Tartars-
I This Manchu force is quartered in most of
the great cities such as Nanking Hang
chow. .~'5ochow. and Canton The officers
and men OF these armies have many privi-
legss not allowed to the Chinese. for every
Manchu, whether in or out Of the army, is
allowed his rice and 3 taeIs a month bv
the Government. The amount Of imperial
taxation devoted to the support of the
Manchus Is variously estimated at from
five to fifteen million dollars annually.
The armies in the provinces are main
tanned at the expense of the viceroys. with
the exception Of the Nanchu garrisons. In
/ the province of Chilli. Gen. Yuan Shi
/ kai's army and the imperial armies at and
/ around Pekin are maintained by the Board
/ OF Revenue out of imperial taxes. These
/ armies. which are paid by the state are
/ supposed not to be sent from the vicinity
/ Of Pekin- In some of the armies the men
are paid and find their own rations and
/ clothing, while in some they are fed anC
/ clothed This is all left to the discretion
or whim of the commanding general It is
/ said to be common thing in China for a
! general to report that he commands 10 .OOC
/ men. whereas he may actually not COM
! mand Loco, though he receives the nav
| and ratiOns for 10 900. II his army is tC
| be inspected he hires coolies at low rate
/ per day to appear on parade The inspect
/ ing officer receives a -douceur" and re-
! ports that the army is 10000 strong and
| properly drilled and equipped.
| Lord BeresfOrd says: Il went to HsiaC
| Chan to visit General Yuan Shi Kai, anC
/ 10 attend a review of his troops l stayeC
| two days and one night with the general
| and not only saw all his troops paradeC
| and maneuvered. but had ample opportu-
! nifty to examine his equipment Tn
| strength of this army was 7400 men. most
| ly Shsntung men. These and the Hunon-
| ese are reported TO make the best soIdc {
| in China The Infantry were armed with
| the Mause. rifle. German made. He had
| the siX-gUn batteries Of artillery of diff
| ferent caIibres. throwing from one 20 six
pound prOjectiles. The cavalry were armed
| with hnces and MauseT infantry rife
| On parade the whole force appeared 81
| exceptionally smart body Of men, OF ex-
| tremely fine physique. They were evident
| ly well fed. and their uniforms were very
| servicesbIe and well kept.
| Most other armies are clothed in an or
! dinary Chinese dress, with a large badge