Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-12
CHINA AS A MILITARY POWER
BY FREDERIC J. HAskI.

to- make them of any use In modern
warfare.
In 1914. when Japan attacked the
German naval base OF Kinuchau. in
China. the Chinese government pro-
tested against certain movements,
which IL considered violation OF
Chinese neutrality. At that time. China
fairly modern rifles-Mausers, Munn-
llchcrs and Japanese Muratas. For
ciSn military experts believed at the
time that these troops were good
ance to the Japanese, although with no
possibility of ultimate success. Their
number and arms give an Idea of the
actual fighting strength Of China
The conflict in the various. figures
| relating to Chinas army is due to tho
peculiar military system of the re-
public. whose present form is nodded
by various systems which obtained In
the past The modern plan provides
for n national army, directly under the
central government, TO consist OF two
divisions from each province but China
had somewhat the same problem In
nationalizing her provincial troops that
the United States met In using the
National Guard. 1t was necessary to
transfer the control from the state to
the nation. The modern army of China
Is to be national army. but tho old
provincial troops. the men of the Green
Standard are still in existence. though
they. too. are theoretically under cen
trail control in emergency. Tho
tional army Is planned to comprise
eventually peace strength OF 4o0,-
900 men.
Two Plans Combined.
CAina's population is so large that
she can combine the principle Of con-
scription with tho practice Of voiun-
tary enlistment. Theoretically. every
man Of twenty is liable for three years
service in the active army, three years
In the first reserve and four years in
the second reserve. Practically. IL only
one youth OF twenty out OF every ten
is willing to enlist. the need for con-
scriptlon does not exist. because at
least 100000 men reach that age every
year Enlistment is becoming more
popular. now that the army is begin
ming TO be looked on as Il desirable
and honorable profession. Until re-
Gently in china-and she is the only
nation OF the world in which this was
true--the military calling was rather
looked down on for men OF the highest
family
Along with the plan for a national
army goes plan for training officers
In military academies. and in war
college for the higher ranks. The cry
ing need OF the Chinese army is for
equipment aEl officers. The raw ma
tcrial is there.
Concerning this raw material the
millions On millions OF men available
for the ranks. observers are agreed
that IL is Of high quality. The China
man makes In many ways an ideal sol
der Physically he Is strong and
vastly enduring. He is little subject TO
disease lie is capable OF getting
along On simple food and little OF II.
lie !. Not Afraid.
lie is obedient and amenablc to dis
cipline. and. finally. he is not In the
least wanting in courage. The Chinese
braves went out against vastly su-
pcrior troops in the Carbohydrates
War. and they went out ill-armed and
worse otiicercd Those that had rifles
had so many antiquated models that no
ammunition train could carry SUI
nccntly varied stock TO supply them
all. Some were armed with the oi6
jinguls. Misunderstanding guns that took
two men To load and fire. Naturally
they were defeated hut they Tough,
bravely. Their conduct on tho field and
In the hospital showed them to have
plenty Of the necessary courage.
The things that made the Chinese
army futile In the past were the
ruptiun Of civil officials who admins
tered il. the lack OF skilled officers. the
prejudice against the army as career.
the lack OF money Tor adequate equip
ment. and finally perhaps certain
lack OF patriotism in the Occidental
sense. That patriotism has been grow
ing fas, in the last few year. The
other needs might he supplied by Euro
pcan allies.
At tn. moment, China is weak /, a
military way out OF all proportion TO
her size and resources. To those who
believe that to teach nation to fight
is to lead ii to war there must be n
fearful fascination in the steps toward
military development. China is an un-
armed giant with a bandage over his
eyes. The allies perhaps are preparing
TN 4, Il,
sword In the giant hand. Any one who
makes China effective In a military
way Is certainly dealing with vast
forces. But the Chinese stand out
through thousands Of years as the most
peaceable OF peoples. There seems
little ground I" believe that they would
abuse their strength