The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-22


eight centuries ago China was at her best
and Europe was at her worst. The meth
ods of modern warfare had not yet been
evolved and the people who were the best
horsemen could shoot best with the bow.
throw the spear with the greatest force
and accuracy, and at The same time be-
siege cities for the longest periods, were
mosa likely 10 win, and as all these things
were right in line with the accomplish
ments of the Monaghan, they were able
10 do what they did toward the subjuga-
ton of large part of Asia-especi1lly
the less civilized portion-and a the same
time brighten large part of Europe.
The Chinese Army.
From the first we who have lived in
China have had no confidence in the Chi
nese army. There are practically no good
men" in it. 1t is little less than combi-
nation Of thieves, rascals beggars and
hoodlums. They know nothing about dis
cipline they know nothing about the arts
of war; they know nothing about inter
national courtesy the taking care of the
sick and wounded; they know nothing
about either paying or dressing their SOL
dters in a way which is calculated TO de-
velop either patriotism or self-respect.
And as they are practically without a ma
tIonal emblem they have no "Old Glory
WHICH makes the CDllIS run over you
fills your throat as you see ii carried by
the sons and daughters of old veterans
who died for the old flag" Nobody ever
heard of a Chinese soldier who was ready
to die for the flag. He may fight because
he hates the enemy, or BECAUSE there is
the hope of plumber, but he knows nothing
about the love your enemy principle in
time of war, If, indeed, he does in time OF
peace.
When I say this about the Chinese SOL
der let it be understood that 1t is with
the greatest possible respect and admira-
ton for the Chinese character and peo-
pie. They are a literary and not a war
ike people. They are not drivers of the
sword, but of the quill-or more properly.
the brush. They are the originators of
everything that has thus far come from
Eastern Asia which has contributed to
oriental civilization. War brutaliZes but
the Chinese productions have contributed
10 the development of the arts Of
peace.
The Chinese are therefore a peaceable
people Save in their great family SQUAD
Dies, which con scarcely be termed civil
wars, thy have never conquered anybody.
iney have been repeatedly conquered-irSt
oy the Mongols, then by the Manchus-but
while they were thus conquered in battle,
they at once settled themselves to swal-
low absorb, mastfcate, digest, anything
you pletse TO call it--their conquerors, and
~ a hundreds years there was not enough
Monsols left to shake a stick at" They
nave been doing the same with the Man
chus until at present the Manchu is an
emasculated, opium besotted nobody, who
" ready to be Votnlted back on his own
mountains, woods and plains, where lie
can live on bears, fish and fowls Among
All the great statesmen of China you Will
look In vain for a great Manchu states
man There have been those who were in
Huehtlal, but IL was either because of the
station or their relationships and not be-
cause of their craftsmanship. When you
study the history of the empire you find
mat her great statesman as well as her
ltaders in war are Chinese, though no
'hlhese generals can be looked upon as
great save when compared with others OF
ms own nationality.
How the Chinese Fight.
The following incident will Indicate the
.naFacter Of these great generals as
Iney appeared at the beginning of the
Cmnese-Japanese War: When certain
general was about to go over to drive the
Sapaf csc out of Korea, he was asked II
ue knew the geography of Korea. "Geog-
Itphy Of Koreap said he what do care
about the geography OF Korea2 I will just
o. '"0le anu nave wv W W.
easements with them and that will be the
ena Of II. There is no use OF my botherng
try"
AS matter of fact he went over
ana had the engagements. but the result
was not what he had predicted. One OF
ms soldiers who was laid up in nos
ptal after his return explained
Mhat happened. He and the others In
most OF the hospitals were shot In the
"Ack' and when the doctors asked how