The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-31
CHINESE TROOPS
 CAUSE SURPRISE Country Has Accomplished Wonders with Army MANEUVERS ARE SUCCESS Most Notable Feature to Foreign Wis itors Was the Absolute Subor-
 dnation Shown by
 the Men.
MANEUVERS ARE SUCCESS

Pekin, October 30.-The army maneuv- CTS, which have been completed, greatly impressed foreigners, especially those ac- quainted with the condition of Chinese troops five years ago. The opinion ex- pressed on all sides is that China has ac- complished an absolutely marvellous feat In raising an army of 40,0O0 men to it's present efficiency. The foreign military attaches criticised the generalship dis played-for instance, the absence of proper support for the artillery, which they thought was injudiciously placed but they gave unstinted praise for the complete control of the troops and the steadiness of discipline exhibited, the lat ter bearing comparison with that of Euro pean troops. An observer while riding behind some of the troops lying in cover noticed that not a man turned his head from his attention to his work. Com plete subordination prevailed everywhere.
 The final march past the reviewing off cers was abandoned owing to d furious dust storm. After waiting for three hours the visitors left the ground, yet every regiment still remained. the ranks being in perfect order.
 Invasion by Southern Force.
 The scheme of the maneuvers was the assumed invasion of Chilei by a southern force from Shantung, whose advance was opposed by the northern army, roughly estimated at 5000 men. The final parade showed 10000 infantry, 12O0 cavalry, HOO engineers, 1900 artillery and 120 guns.
 The infantry was armed with Mauser magazine rifles of 1888 pattern, with a ghA do h not Iut made at the Hanging arsenal. The offi- cers carried a sword a revolver and 2 field glass. Te mems kit weighed fifty four pounds each, the knapsacks being of Japanese pattern. The pioneers carried picks saws and shovels, every one being in full marching order The cavalry were armed with Mauser carbines and swords the officers carrying revolvers. They were mounted on Mongolian ponies which, though small, were in good condition. The saddlery and accoutrements were bad. and the men had no spurs. This is regarded by the military observers as the weakest branch of the army, being un- suitable for work either as cavalry or mounted infantry.
 Ammunition Carried by Mules.
 The artillery consisted of field and mounted guns The northern side had twenty-four Japanese 75 millimetre guns, twelve Krupp guns of the same calibre. eight Krupp mountain guns, and twelve Japanese mountain guns. The ammunition was carried on muleback. The guns were served excelently, the ammunition being brought up quickly and with little con- fusion. The officers who sighted the guns and the artillerymen were armed with swords and revolvers.
 No signalling apparatus with this corps was observed, and there were few ambu- lances. The commissariat of each regi- ment included thirty-two wagons, the harness being of German patterns and badly made The rations consisted If one pound and half of rice, six ounces of cabbage. six ounces of salted veget- ables, six ounces of meat. This kit was serviceable The mems queques were tucked under their caps.
 The foreigners who witnessed the ma neuvers were the guests of the Viceroy Yuan Shi Kai and were lavishly enter tained. The troops gave many evidences of Japanese training. and one attachee remarked that he had seen twenty Japa- nese in Chinese uniforms.