Chinese Art of War.

Hastings Standard, Volume V, Issue 1427, 18 January 1901, Page 3

Chinese Art of War.

The Chinese officers learn the art of war out of books thousands of years old ; and, to judge from developments in China, they are following their instructions very faithfully. The Ost Asiatische Lloyd (Shanghai) give 3 a synopsis of these rules, from which we take the following :—Wars are not always won by battles, but by diplomacy as well. It is the general's duty to entice the enemy into a conference, when he can be suddenly attacked and cut down. The best men should be corrupted, and the ones given to vice must be bribed. Bo certain to sow dissension, send plenty of women into the enemy's camps, and assist the men to leal a vicious life. Spread false news to mislead them, cut off their supplies and tire them with useless marches. Endeavor to arrange matters in such a way that the enemy's troops are lying idle in camp when they should be moving, and moving when it is necessary for them to rest. If your force is 10 times as strong as that of the enemy, you must endeavor to surround him; if five times as strong, attack the enemy from more that one direction at once. If you are only a little stronger, keep some forces in reserve ; if weaker that the enemy, evade battle. With prudence and discipline, even a small force may overcome a large army. The general who marches his troops at the wroDg season can easily ruin his country, especially if he does not know the country, through which he marches, and if his supply of provisions U insufficient. The greatest proof of a general's ability is shown when he keeps his own movements secret, but finds out the movements of the enemy da/ by day. Place the enemy in a position where neither his advanced guard nor his rearguard, his right wing, nor his left wing, can hold its own, and you will beat the main body. The Militar Wochenblatt remarks that the purely military rules of the Chinese are still and always will be the essence of the art of war ; but theories are of little value unless you can put them into practice.