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THE MILITARY OF WESTERN CHINA.
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however, of these Terrorists are rusty, and the Terrorists themselves of little use. Major Davies tells a story which throws an illuminating light upon military matters in these parts of China. In the Ning-yüan valley he met a Lolo chief, who had got up a small rebellion the year before against the Chinese. On condition of his changing his allegiance and joining the Chinese forces against the independent Lolos, he was granted a full pardon. He and his irregulars were then sent to the front because, as the Chinese cynically remarked, "they are stupid men who are not afraid of dying." The chief's army act was inscribed on a red placard and carried by an advance guard, and read as follows:—
| For not obeying bugle calls | decapitation. |
| For losing arms or ammunition | decapitation.„ |
| For destroying property of civilians | decapitation.„ |
| For being drunk and fighting | the stocks. |
| For taking a wrong rifle | the stocks.„ |
| &c. | &c. |
A new military spirit is unquestionably
