The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1915-01-19
CHINESE ARMY
BIG ON PAPER
False Figures Of Fighting
Strength Are Given Pub
LEFTY Says Explanation.

Peking, Jan. 10 Reasons why the
Chinese army, although II numbers
half million men on paper, cannot
bc employed to defend the republic
against an aggression, are set forth
openly in an official explanation by
President Yuan Shikai
lie says, In effect that although
the military expense is the largest
Item In the governmental bills, the
evil practice Of declaring false mum
berS Of troops continues to the detri.
mcnt Of the republics defensive pow.
er The Interesting document reads
In part as follows:
In former days the most corrupt
1 practice existing In the army was that
the actual number Of troops In each
ling military camp was never In
accordance with the number paid for
by the government and the officers
appropriated the surplus. People are
not at all surprised Mt such irregular
tiles, as they had become common
habits, The financial condition OF
the nation became worse, while the
discipline of the army was hopelessly
neglected
False Figures.
u, the president, once created and
trained a modern army, and all for
mer corruptiOns were wholly swept
away. But after the revolution there
was trouble everywhere, and chiefs of
political parties aud arrogant com.
manders became presumptiOus with
their military backing. In the morn.
ing they enrolled vagabonds in the
streets, and In the evening they claim.
ed to have created an army.
Although the number was less
than Il thousand It was proclaimed Ia
be more than ten thousand. When
the time came for dIsbandment OF
troops large sums Of money were de
manded from the government l. the
president, being unwilling to see IN,
people suffer the consequences Of fur
ther rebellion, reluctantly complied
with their demands Thus order ant
peace were maintained. But when ",
think Of 1t we are still grleyed. Now
although the caDcerous disease 'hal
been healed, II IL impossible to say
that the evil practice Of declariuI
false numbers of troops has not con
tinued
"The largest annual expense OF tn
government IN the military expendI
ture .., All generals and cole
nels In the army should take warnin
from the past and act carefully in IN
future, performing their service
faithfully and maintaining their ow,
/ integrity Thus will they show thei
, appreciation Of the presidents wis
q to reform and discipline the army"
Threats of punishment are Include
In the presidents proclamation.
More Wsrships.
Among the institutions Of the en-
plre which have been revived BY IN
republican government under Yua
3 Shi.kai is that OF hero worship"
I terms translated from the government
order. II Is explained that sacrifice
should hereafter be offered 10 III
spirits Of Xuan Chaun-miu and Yuc
. Wu'mu, who rendered great service
and showed exemplary loyalty to theI
a sovereigns In past eras. The burea
, Of rites is ordered to prepare a suiti
ble form Of sacrifice and worship fc
these, and other generals and state
Q men who served their country wei
Y both Of the empire and the mi
n Huo" the republic, The object
7. plainly stated to be the encourag
;, ment Of the people to n martial spir
u and the development Of patriotisl
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