Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-01-14
WHY CHINA ARMY
WILL NOT FIGHT
Although II Numbers Half a Million Men
II Can Not be Employed to Defend Re-
public Against Aggression, Says Presi-
dent of China.

Correspondence of the Associated Prcs~.l
Pcking. Jan. l3.-Iieasons whv the
Chinese army, alihoug IT numbers halt y
million men on paper. can not he employed
Ia defend the republic against an aggre~-
sion, are let forth openly in an official cx-
PLANTATION by President Yuan Shi Kai.
lie says. in effect. that although the mill
tary expense !, the largest item III the gov
crnmcntal bills, the evil practice NJ dcclar-
ing false numbers of troop, continues 10
the detrimcnt of the republics defensive
power. The interesting document reads in
part a. follows:
la Former day, thc most corrupt prac-
thee existing in the army was that the
actual number of troops IN each Wing
military camp wa never IN accordance
with the number paid for by the govern
ment: and the officers appropriated the
surplus. People are not at all surprised nj
such Irregularities. n they had become
common habits. The financial condition of
the nation became worse. while the di>cip-
line Of the army was hopcle>slv neglected.
Il. the president, once created and
trained u modern army. and al former cor
ruption~ were wholly swept away. But
after the revolution there was trouble
everywhere, and chiefs If political parties
and arrogant commanders became pre-
sumpiious with their military backing. I'm
the morning they enrolled vagubond~ III
the streets and in the evening they claimed
10 have created an army. Although the
number was less than Il thousand il was
proclaimed Ia he more tina. ten thousand.
When the time came for di~handmcnt of
troops large suns Of money were demand
Ell from the government. |. the president.
being unwilling 10 see the people suffer the
consequences OF further rebellion. rcluc-
family complied with their demands. Thus
order and peace were maintained. But
when We think Of IL We are -till .ri,vcd.
Now. although the canccrous disease ha~
hecn healed. II i impossible to say that
the evil practice of declaring false num-
hers of troops has not rpnjmucM The
largest annual expense of the government
4 the military expenditure. All gen
erals and colonies ~ the army should take
warning from the past aud act carefully
M the future. performing their services
faithfully and maintaining their own i'll
tcgritv. Thus will they show their an
probation ot the president wish to reform
and discipline the army"
Threats Of punishment are included il
the president proclamation.
Among the Institutions of the empire
which have been revived by the republican
under Iuan Shi Kai IL that VI
"hcro Worship 4 term translated from
the government order. 1t i explained that
sacrifices should hereafter be offered t.
the spirits of kuan Chuan-miu and Yuch
Nu-mu, who rendered great services snd
showed exemplary loyalty IL their soy
crcIgn~ IN the past crl~. The bureau ot
rites ! ordered to prepare q suitable form
of sacrifice and worship tor these. and
other generals and statesmen who served
their country well. both ~ the empire and
the MIN iluo.' the republic. The object Il
plainly stated to be- the Encouragement 81
the people to 4 martial spirit and the de-
Nclopmcnt of patriotism and loyalty in the
army.