The Times of Tuesday gives some useful information as to
the fighting forces of China and Japan. A correspondent, 'who signs " W. A. T.," declares that the Japanese soldiers are armed with a magazine-rifle as good as any carried by Euro- pean troops. Their bullet is of lead, coated with copper—a device forbidden by the Geneva Convention—and so is, we presume, more deadly, as well as more cruel, than if it were dike ours pure lead. The Japanese cavalry and artillery are also well equipped, and the men generally are well trained and drilled. " Their wonderful neatness, completeness, and regularity is what struck me most. Everything was tidy, 'everything was ready, everything was there. Their only trouble was the wearing of European boots." They can only be compared, says " W. A. T.," to our Goorkbas. " I would," he says, " next to Goorkbas, prefer a regiment of Japanese." 41It would be as reasonable," he declares, "to match brave men ,armed with pitchforks against brave men armed with rifles as to pit, man for man, the Chinese in their present condition against the Japanese." On the other hand, the Chefoo corre- spondent of the Times gives a fairly favourable account of the present condition of the Chinese Navy. The materiel seems to be good, and the common sailors all that could be desired.
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