Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 639

CHINA

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square miles, and an estimated population of 13,700,000. Outer Mongolia in 1912: asserted her independence of Chinese sovereignty, and obtained the formal recognition of Russia, but under the Russo-Chinese Treaty concluded in 1915. the suzerainty of China was recognised and the autonomy of Outer Mongolia agreed to. Towards the end of 1919 Outer Mongolia petitioned to return to the authority of Peking. The petition was granted, and the several treaties with Russia were abrogated. Conditions in Outer Mongolia, however, have been by no means stabilised by the ostensible return of Mongolia to China's fold. The invasion of Baron Ungern von Sternberg with an anti-Bolshevik army in February, 1921, caused the intervention of Soviet Russia, whose troops, having dislodged Ungern's men, entered into possession of Urga, the capital of Mongolia, and the Territory stretching up to the Russian frontier. Inner Mongolia has been formed into three special administrative districts, viz., Jehol, Chahar and Suiyuan. Manchuria has in recent years been steadily and rapidly colonised by Chinese, who greatly outnumber the Manchus in their own land. Tibet-which is also practically a dependency of China and whose- actual status is still an outstanding question between Great Britain and China-has an area of 643,734 square miles and a population of over 6,000,000. Down to 1910 it was ruled by the Dalai Lama, but subject to the Government of Peking, whiel maintains a Resident at Lhassa. In consequence, however, of the Dalai Lama's refusal to comply with the demands of Peking, a Chinese military expedition was dispatched to Lhassa, and he fled to India, where he remained for over a year. Meanwhile, the great revolution broke out in China. The Tibetans seized the opportunity to proclaim their independence, and again a military expedition was sent to Tibet, but more conciliatory methods had to be adopted. The Chinese troops were withdrawn and the Dalai Lama returned to the Tibetan Capital. The tripartite conference at Simla in 1914 to determine the status of Tibet and delimit the boundaries ended in failure, no agree- ment being arrived at. The Dalai Lama visited Peking in 1921 and was received in. audienee by President Hsu Shih-chang.

DEFENCE

Army

Until 1895 China had no regular modern troops, but the disasters of the Sino- Japanese War demonstrated the necessity for a National Army. Five divisions known as the Wu Wei-chun were then raised, but the majority of these were afterwards disbanded, and only one division remained to form the nucleus of the Lu-Chun or new National Army.

President Yuan Shih Kai undertook the reorganisation of China's military forces, but accomplished little outside of Chihli, where he raised six divisions of modern troops between 1903 and 1906. However, a real start was made in 1907 as the result of an Imperial edict ordering the formation of thirty-six divisions in the various provinces of the Empire by 1912. Recruiting for this new Army was on a principle of modified conscription, the terms of service being three years with the colours, three years in the first reserve, and four years in the second reserve, or ten years in all. First reservists were called out for thirty days' training every year, and men of the second reserve for a like period every other year.

These thirty-six divisions were to have an establishment of about 10,000 combatants each. In 1909 recruiting was also commenced for a division of Military Guards. At the outbreak of the Revolution in 1911, thirteen divisions were practically complete and the formation of nineteen more had been begun. A division consisted of two brigades of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, one regiment of artillery and nine batteries, one sapper battalion, and one transport battalion, besides medical and other units, etc. In all, the number was nominally about 250,000; actually, it was about 180,000.

The ereation of the National Army tended to the centralisation of authority, and enabled the Peiyang party to dominate the counsels of the nation. Theoretically all military forces are under the control of the General Staff and the Ministry of War (the President being Commander-in-Chief), and are paid by the Central Government, the authority of the Ministry of War being delegated in each Province to specially appointed Military Commissioners. Provincial Civil Governors have no authority over the Military (Lu Chun), but can call for their services when needed.

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