THE ALLIES IN CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12995, 10 December 1902, Page 4

THE ALLIES IN CHINA.

Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. Yaughan, of the 7th Rajputs, lias written a most valuable book—“ St George and the Chinese Dfagou”—in which (says the St James’s Gazette”) is given an account of the relief of the Pekin Legations. Very interesting is the Lieutenant-Colonel’s comparison of the soldiers of various nationalities.

It was impossible for anyone with military training to be in contact with so many foreign troops day alter day (says the writer) without forming some opinion of them, and it is .'remarkable how unanimous were the conclusions arrived at. Even Jack Sepoy has his ideas as to the merits of the foreigners. ■- He said he could get on well with all the troops except the Frenchmen. He found the Americans, Japanese, Russians and Italians friendly; they talked together by signs when on guard or duty near each .other, aud showed one another their equipment and rifles ; but the Frenchman, if he asked to see his rifle, or made any other advances towards him, was suspicious and surly. The French troops with which our men were most in contact were 'those present during the advance, aud consisted of regiments from Tonquin, marines, I believe. They were inferior to the troops which they have now in the country, both as regard discipline and appearance. The Zouaves, Chasseurs d’Afrique, and others compare favourably with any other troops. The Russian is a tough, haidy man, without much "bundobust” (arrangement) for the care of the men. The Japanese are very brave, and just like Ghobrkas, with ai wonderful “ bundobust. V The Italian is a good soldier. The German, is a prodigy at drill. As to the American, I can’t get any definite opinion. The Sepoy critic knows that they are our friends, and says “Sahib Logue Ki Muaflk,” which means “like an Englishman of a good class.” The German troops here drill splendidly in close order formations; their sentries are smart at saluting, and at their duties generally. From what wo saw of their troops at manoeuvres, their generals appear to move considerable bodice of troops with great precision, each regiment beirtg in its right place and coming up at the right time. Though some of their formations in the attack appear, by the light thrown upon the subject by the Boer War, to be

open to criticism, there are certain details in their field work which we might follow with advantage. Among others, every man when on the defensive has a rest for his rifle, a few stones or sods, of earth placed in front, which to a certain extent conceal him from view. Their attack is carried right home into their enemy’s position, and their gminers only stand actually serving the gun; at all OtHer times they crouch down oil the ground. The physique of the Germans was about the average of the Allies. The Russians appeared to be a fine set of men) broadshouldered, sturdily built, ahd full of endurance, rough and ready, but ignorant, lacking in intelligence, and; brutal in the hour of victory.

The French can be divided into two' classes—their good trOOps and their bad. In the first come the Chasseurs d’Afrique, Zouaves, and a few other regiments. In the second their Marines, and corps recruited from the slums of Paris. The discipline of the former appealed to be good, and the men a fine, soldieidy-lboking lot. The discipline of the latter was, one has no hesitation in saying so, the worst in the Allied! Army. Slovenly, disgracefully dressed, insolent when opportunity offered, and, insubordinate, they appeared to be totally lacking in all soldierly instincts; Even their friends the Russians, when asked what they thought of them, simply shrugged their shoulders.

The Japanese troops appear to be well disciplined, and their men are tery hardy and enduring. I believe that the Russians who were out here have changed their opinion regarding then! considerably, and by no means look forward to- a conflict with them with the keenness they once felt. t The Japanese are undoubtedly superior to the Russians in education and intelligence, while as regards individual courage, organisation, equipment and training they are in no way inferior. One saw but little of the Italian troops, but those that were seen gave the impression of being of good physique, well turned out and soldierly.

The Americans have a different standard of discipline from that of our men ; they appear to bo much more free and easy in their relation to their officers, and in the way they performed their duties; still they have a discipline,'and that of a rigid kind, otherwise the sight of a soldier walking down; a street of Pekin, with hits hands held) high, followed by an American officer' with ai involver pointed at the hack of his head, both moving- towards a guard, could not have occurred. The American soldier appears to be very intelligent, independent and able to act on bis own initiative.

The Indian troops compared favourably as regards discipline with the Allies. In marching powers under a hot sun they naturally excelled; they did not get onp of hand after the capture of Pekin, nor did! they commit atrocities, While, as regards soldierly bearing and turnout, they stood first. Tims the numerous guards, sentries, and Orderlies of the Ist Sikhs at the Summer Palace were far smarter, better dressed ’ and superior in appearance to any guards or orderlies that the Allied Powers could produce in Pekin, not excepting the guards at their Legations, which, it is presumed, were picked men. So, too, the guard of the Royal Welsh Pusiliert at the British Legation Was fat superior to that of any other nationality.