The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-22

A work on China by Gen. James III. Will
son. of the United States army. first pub
lished about four years ago. has reached a
third edition. Whatever General Wilson
does he does we'll, and he Is an accom-
plished writer When the troubles IN China
broke out he was doing military duty i'm
Cuba. He had previously travelled extern
sively in China and made close study of
the government and people. ForeseeinC the
Boxer outbreak he rendered his services to
the government and was oToereG TO China
at the beginning Of the trouble. thus Civ
ing him an opportunity to renew his &c
quaintance with the country and TO study
the new conditions at close quarters. IIe
commanded the lirst JOINT C-g~.....On o.
American and British troops. l.5eJ strong.
against the Boxers and was Identified with
all the military operations UP 20 the re
lief of the legations. Afterwards he had
personal interviews with Ii Hung Chang.
whom he already knew. and with other
prominent Cinnamon. 1t will be seen there
fore that General Wilson has had eXcep-
tional opportunities for studying the Chi
nese question, and especially the present
Situa ton. The first edition OF MS DOCK was
published before the present troubles there
began, but the present one brings II up
to date It's complete title is emma; traV-
els and Investigations in the middle king
donna study of its civilization and posi-
bilities together with an account OF the
Boxer war. the relief of the legations and
the establishment of peace" The pres
ent edition has been revised throughout
and considerably enlarged The military
operati during the Boxer war are de-
scribed with the intelligence that charac-
terizes all of General wilson's military
writings. 1t is gratifying 10 observe that
he more than once pays high tribute to
American soldiers. In a preface he says
'.In every respect the American soldiers
compared favorabIy with those of other
mowers. The rank and file, ii is believed,
are superior in intelligence and fighting ca
pacity to the soldiers of any modern army.
Their armament, equipment anc supplies
are fully equal in every respect TO the
best while their horses. mules and wagons
are far superior to those of any other coun-
try" Speaking of the first British ana
American joint expedition. which ne COM
manded, he says: w nile the men ol po' III
contingents behaved well. performing all
the service required of them In soldierly
and creditable manner, II was In the men-
est degree gratifying to discover mat IN
actual campaign the Americans mao notn-
ing TO learn from their Anglo-lndlan com
rades" Referring TO the cHaise vi ~ ~,
ing and the perpetration of outrages ne
S ,hat while there will always be some
thieves and marauderS in every army IL
is CONFIDENTLY believed that Drutantles, IA
i've wanton killing and unnecessary burn
ing are but seldom. II ever resorteu 10 10y
- S,sci-iined in the smaller matters as the
East Of European and Asiatic troops they
- oartainly equal to them In nghtlnb "a
nacitv and far superior IN humanity ana
rreeard for the rights of persons ana prop
80 The work as a whole Is n ValuaDle
odd,tion 10 English Chinese literature and
one of the best works extant concerning the
s,o1-arnment institutions. people. present
Conditions and future prospects or the
country. New York: d. Appleton & co.