The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-11-27
A MILITARY CONGRESS.

officers Improving Their Great Oppor-
tunity for Studying Army Methods
in China
With troops of eight nations and
every branch of service elbow to elbow
under actual field conditions, both
Picking and Tien-Tsn at present afford
rich field of comparative military
observations, of which the officers of
the various fources are taking keen ad-
vantage. This is especially noticeable
of the continental forces, whose staff
are everywhere taking note of equip
ments and methods, There are now
quartered in this big camp what are
said to be representative contingents
of every military power. 1t is mill
tary congress as complete as IL devised
only for display, and the contrast be-
tween the forces Is very marked In
equipment, method and discipline. Yet,
at the same time, observing officers
| find little room for criticism of any par
ticular contingent of the Chinese ex-
peditionary forces. In equipment and
uniform there is apparently little ques-
troops are superior The sober, bust
ness-like khaki is in strong contrast to
the snowy French and Italian uni
forms while the Germans, otherwise a
magnificent and picked body of men,
are handicapped in comparison by their
i'll fitting clothing. The German uni
form is mustard yellow khaki, appar-
entity of very inferior quality. The
blouse is long and loose, without pock-
cts, the trousers loose, and no leggins
are worn by the infantry. This is
completed with a wide brimmed straw
hat, such as is seen in the southern
part of the states, turned up at the
side and fastened with a corps badge
One almost overlooks the awkwardness
of the uniform, however. in the SPLEEN
did drill and discipline of the Kaiser's
Chinese army, while their field equip
ment, though bit sheavy is well up to
date and compares favorably with that
of any other force.
By far the most picturesque troops
here are the British native regiments
from India At present Great Britain
has no white troops here except part
of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, known in
England as the Duke of Connaughts
own" and battalion of Australian
Volunteer naval reserves The show of
Tien-Tsin is the Sixteenth Bengal Ian
sers, the gentleman regiment of In
dia," out on parade. Magnificently
mounted on countrybreeds, superb rid
ers, equipment as perfect as care can
make it, with lance pennons nuttering, |
the Sixteenth Is a regiment any nation |
could feel proud of The Indian cavalry |
are probably the heaviest armed |
mounted troops in the world. Each |
man carries the long heavy lance, re- |
volver, cabne and heavy sabre. The |
uniform is khaki, the blouse tight at |
the belt, loose cord trousers. russell |
leather leggins and the Inevitable tur-
ban The Bombay lancers are not in
ferior, and the foot regiments, which
include the Rajputs, the Puniabs and
the Beloochistans make a splendid ap-
pearance, the men being tall and slen-
der, and carrying themselves superbly.
The japanese are, perhaps, probably
The most interesting studies for the mill
tary men here. One looses sight of
he rather slouchy white canvass uni
,orms and Frenchy high crowned caps
n the machinelike drill and discipline
IF the Mikados men. In discipline they
are easily ahead Of practically all of
he other forces. The Japanese soldier
works as none other does He Is al
ways busy, he does not drink. and he
s not in evidence on the streets. De-
achments of the little whiteclad chaps
ire always on the move Whenever
me goes in the surrounding country {
or many miles out he finds a japanese
outpost Their field Typographical par
les are always busy and their commits
airy and quartermaster's departments |
re wonderfully active and complete | ,
Many officers have found much to adj =,
nire in their transport system There ,
re no great bales or boxes in the jap :
nese supplies. Everything is put UP
n compact mating bound bundles. +
one too heavy for one man to handle. Z
nd the result is expedition. 1t is the +
eneral ooinion of observers that the f
japanese soldier is the busiest, quiet f
st, the best disciplined man in the ar j,
les of China. <
The big German camp, which occu- r
les the grounds and buildings former Z
Z used by the American troops, lying iii
asst of the foreign concession, is easily | a
ne model of all the camps about Tien- I