San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-31
General Feng:s Christian Army
A Picturesque Military Unit

sovereignty, are painted around the
camp.
Feng Has Discipline.
About one-fourth of General Feng's
10000 men are Christians, according
to the general himself. The others act
accordingly. Discipline is not non
existent as in most Chinese armies.
The result is remarkable, especially
when the sources from which the army
is recruited is considered. If drilling
will make them good soldiers. the
other phases of their camp routine may
make them good citizens and goo j
| Christians.
General Feng is logged type. He
does not give any impression of bril-
lance. but there is no doubt that,
even though ploddng, he is stubborn
and persistent. He has studied Eng
fish for five years. but does not risk
it without an interpreter. He is not
discouraged.
He does not dislike foreigners but
he is no blind admirer of them, nor
does he imagine that he is going to
win any battles by recitins Scripture
verses or singing western hymns, as
usually is attributed to him. He be-
lieves foreign powers have been I'M
just to China. Many foreigners who
do not want more colonies or railroads
or to import goods without permitting
China to fix her own tariffs, agree |
with him. He does not approve of /
the Rockefeller institute in Picking, |
though it took good care of him. He
believes its tiled bathtubs and other !
conventions make Chinese dissatisfied
when they return to their homes. He
does not approve of America devoting
her share of the Boxer indemnity for
educating Chinese in the United
States. He believes the money should
be used to educate them in China.
where they will not get western world
ideas.
Converted by Missionaries.
When a boy. General Feng, i'm
pressed by the fortitude of the Pres
byterian missionaries tortured by Box
ars at Pating-fu. decided to become a
Christian. A faith which ignores paid
appeals to soldiers. just as other Chi
1ese soldiers eat the hearts of their
enemies 10 acquire courage or buy a
bullet proof cloth shirt from Budd-
" Baptist missionaries d ring recent
7ears when he was in command at
He and his Chinese chap
aims are Methodists. Superstition may
hasten recruits conversion but the
persistent teaching and practice make
lean living a habit.
The hymns are translated into Chi
lese but there are other words to
he same tunes-mOre localized and
applicable to the business on hand.
Dne. set to sacred music. recites that
| soldier must keep his ammunition
Try and his rifle clean: that when his
are gone he must use the
1ayonet: when it is dulled club his
,nemies with the rifle butt: when it
s smashed slug them with his fists;
when they are broken. use his teeth
out never give up. 1t is fighting
song. inspiring and thrilling for all,
De he fighting man or pacifist. The
general is practical and it keeps up
the spirit of his men-hymn words
On Sunday and fighting words on
week days on the drill ground.
Nominally General Feng as COM
nander of the eleventh division and
several mixed brigades. is under Mar
,hal TsaO-kun and Marshal WI Pei
u. Actually. he is independent. more
% than any other Chinese commander
or other army units dislike it because
f its so-called Christian spirit. This
n turn strengthens its own esprit de
orps. 1t is a busincss-like army, de.
old Of sentiment or romance.