The Times of Wednesday contained an interesting telegram from its
Peking correspondent on the progress made with the reform of the Chinese Army. A further step has been taken in the nationalisation of that Army, the Viceroy Yuan-Shih- Kai having surrendered much of his direct control, and retained only the 2nd and "4th Divisions, while the other divisions are taken over by the new Ministry of War. The force is therefore in process of becoming a national Army instead of a number of provincial commands. The corre- spondent points out that the Only danger in the new arrange- ment is that pay may be allowed to fall into arrears in the historic Chinese fashion, one of the secrets of Yuan-Shili- Kars success having been his prompt payments. Other reforms are promised, such as an Army audit and a central clothing department, expenditure on mazmuvres is being ent down,' and a number of officers are being sent to France. Moreorer-what is most significant of all—tbe Chinese authorities have apparently considered and acted upon the criticisms of foreign, experts on the last manoeuvres. No greater breach with Chinese traditions could be imagined.
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