The Wichita Daily Eagle

CHINA COULD FIGHT AGAIN.

Many thousand Chinese, both regular soldiers and volunteers, who may or may not belong to the Boxers, are still under arms. It is evident to all who try to learn the truth about conditions in the Chinese empire that if outside pressure should become excessively severe and the people of all parts of China should be convinced that their country is to be subjugated and divided among European powers, it might be possible to set in motion Chinese forces which would call for an army of not less than 200,000 to crush them and occupy the territory from which they would have to be driven.

That is probably a very low estimate of the strength of the armies of occupation which would be required to hold the Chinese empire quiet, and some authorities would say that half a million men would be necessary. The mere vastness of the regions to be controlled would demand the use of many soldiers for a long time.

Poor as the Chinese army management is and deficient as the Chinese are in weapons and commanders it is a great mistake to suppose that the campaign which ended in the occupation of Pekin measured the entire strength of the Chinese nation. The greater part of the country had nothing whatever to do with that struggle, and the friendly attitude toward the western powers which was maintained by the viceroys of the great central and southern provinces of China was a very important military advantage in the operations for the relief of the legations in the Chinese capital. The complete conquest of China would surely cost much money and no little bloodshed. It would mean extensive campaigning for probably not less than two years.

It is cheaper, as well as safer and more humane, to make terms with China which can be accepted and fulfilled by the Chinese. That is the American plan, and it is sound.