Troops at Si-an-fu performing gymnastic exercises.
entirely during the past year. Formerly it was done more frequently. I was told by an officer that shooting was only done now between the autumn and spring work in the fields. The men, however, assured me that no shooting had been done at all last year. There are also no manoeuvres in the field. The troops are only led into the field for a couple of preliminary exercises prior to the two parades, at which the governor is present. This year it has not come off yet, though it is long overdue.
The infantry drill of the gunners cannot be compared with the description given above. The cavalry has not yet been reorganised. It is armed with rifles (carbines) with cocks and breach-loaders (apparently Mannlicher). The horses are small, but strong and broad and strikingly fat. The men I saw were young and vigorous, but they sat their horsse badly. A great deal of the cavalry is scattered at different posts and all drill is neglected. Target shooting and any kind of practice is only indulged in as an exception. — There are no sappers or service battalions, nor have the different detachments any baggage carts or harness. — The three arms do not form brigades and none of the detachmenst have any numbers to indicate other formations.
The Manchurians have been offered land for cultivation outside the town in order to increase their supply of grain. They are said, however, to have replied proudly that they were born to fight and did not wish to learn anything but shooting with a bow and arrow!
School reform also shows more visible results in Shensi than in Kan Su, if only for the fact that in Kan Su the authorities have to pay the pupils wages, while here it is the reverse, pupils paying for tuition.
Military instruction is in the hands of the »Ludziun hsiao hsiao tang», as it is called since last year. Formerly, it was known as the »Upi hsiao tang». As regards its privileges and curriculum it is on the same level as those I saw at Urumchi and Lanchow. According
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