MILITARY RIGOR IN CHINA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1347, 30 May 1885, Page 2

MILITARY RIGOR IN CHINA.

The Chinese Government bars a summary method of dealing with those army or naval officers who failed in their operations against the French. The North China Herald states that a decree recently published in Pekin punishes the following officers who bad commands during the recent war Chang F’eilum is sentenced to service on the military post-roads in Mongolia, and Ho Juchang, director of theFoo Chow Arsenal, and late Minister to Tokin, shares his fata. Ho Ching, exViceroy of Min-che, and Chang Chaotung arc to be summarily degraded, but, by a Special Act of Grace, are not to be handed over to the Board. Huang Char,-Chun loses his yellow riding jacket, and Fang Huan his title of yung , or brave, Ohang-Cheng, captain of the Yang-wu, is sentenced to bo beheaded after the Autumn Assises, while Tao Tsung-t’ang and Yang Chang-chun, Yicory of Mm-che, who recommended Chang P’eilum to the throne, receive the Imperial censure. Chang Cheng seems to be rather severely treated, as he fought his ship bravely against the enemy’s torpedo boats, and it. was only after repeated night attacks that the French succeeded in sinking her. Chinese officialdom, however, seems to be in a bad way generally, and the several examples that has been made of some wrong-doers may have a saintary effeot. Another decree recently issned in Pekin has reference to the conduct of Ch’en Bhih, an ex-judge, whose conduct has not been such as befits his high office, though as is usual in China, he has been engaged in military duties. He was accused of displaying the qualities of extravagance, f avarice, and arrogance during his conduct of military matters at Nanking. No proofs of fraud against Ch’m Shih during his tenure of office as Chief Controller of the forces at Nanking, or in his administration of public funds, cnu'd bo discovered, but it was ascertained that while Ch’en Shih was stationed at Wonsung he was in the habit of visiting Shanghai and frequenting disreputable houses in that place, The decree morally remarks that a high officer in command of troops is under special obligations to give his whole attention to the business of the force under his command, and in exercising no restraint over his conduct, and in sunvpUously frequenting disreputable houses and feasting there, Ch’en Shih has sullied the honor of the official name, and ft is, therefore, commanded that he be committed to the Board for the determination of a severe form of penalty.