Weekly journal-miner., 1915-08-25
CHINA PREPARES FOR
 NATIONAL DEFENSE


 NEW YORK, Aug. 19-An ex- tensive program for national defense. including conscription for the army, will be laid before China's first par liament when it assemblies in Dec ember, according to a forecast of the governments intended proposals, given out by the Far Eastern Bureau here. Plans are also to be submitted looking to the building of new rail- ways, the colonization of frontiers, the reform of the taxation system, the development of mining and the establishment of government labor bureau. The proposals are subject, it is explained, to such changes as may be made necessary by events transpiring between now and the gen erai elections in October.
 The general defense board, it is stated, is now in session with the leading officials of the army and the navy completing and correcting three bills for submission immediately af- ter President Yuan Shi-kai's state ment to parliament as to the general condition of the nation. The first bill relates to the expansion of arsen- als and the development of navy yards. Parliament will be asked for m appropriation of $15,0OO,OOO for the installation of machinery for the man ufacture of modern rifles and machine guns and suitable appropriations will be sought to enable the navy yards to turn out submarines, torpedo boats, light cruisers and other coast waterways.
 The second bill, it is said, provides for conscription. It is planned to commence conscription with the be- ginning of 1916. The general board has already taken steps to pave the way for this measure, which, it is expected, will be approved by the people, notwithstanding China's age old, peace-loving proclivities. Soldier ship is described as being encouraged and extolled in all the public schools and by every official.
 The third bill provides for the es- tablishment of naval bases and coast and frontier Qualifications.
 The economic measures are being, considered by the cabinet. Presi lent Yuan Shi-kai will urge definite steps, it is stated, towards carrying put the trunk railway plans and the extension of branch railways for which the surveys have already been made, as well as light railways to link up important mining and other industries.
 The proposed colonization of the frontiers is chiefly designed, it is explained, to cope with the tendency on the part of some of China's neigh DOTS to encroach upon her national domain. It is planned to encourage the people to leave congested districts and settle in parts of Manchuria, Mongolia, Eastern Turkestan, Kok onor and Tibet.
 In reforming the taxation system, tine government intends to make a strong plea, it is asserted, to end once and for all local and petty tyranny which is said to be fostered by the old Manchu unequal system of tax ation, and to be largely responsible for the poverty of the people. The revision of the customs tariff is also to be strongly urged.
 The program for mining develop ment contemplates encouragement through protective laws and subsidies where necessary. Respecting the es tablishment of a labor bureau, it is stated that only two-fifths of the people of China have regular trades or professions The bureau will give them an opportunity to get regular including work in gov factories, and at the same time native industries will be develop ed.