The Chinese army came under close observation during the Boxer Rebellion, and, although in many ways it gave proof of want of organization, it was recognized that in armament, training, and the things that go to make up the efficiency of the army, remarkable progress had been made. General Frey who commanded the French forces in China, says it is a mistake to hold that the Chinese Government has any repugnance to the creation of military forces. The Emperor is said to have issued an order extolling military discipline and disavowing any purpose of disarmament, and training is going on under Japanese officers. The Black Flags are now a force of real value.

It was never easy to ascertain facts concerning the Chinese forces. They may be divided into the old armies, comprising the Imperial or Banner troops; the new armies, composed of troops of comparatively recent formation (since the war with Japan); and the Mongolian and Thibetan Militias, which in peace time only exist on paper.

The elite of the old armies is composed of the Shen-Che-Ying or Black Flag troops, and the Pa-Ki or Eight-Banner men. The former are said to number 50,000 men with the colors. Next in importance to the Black Flags come the Banner men of the army of Manchuria, composed of soldier-like troops, but some of them still armed with bows and arrows, or with the old jingal. The Banner men have been estimated at something like 300,000. Service with the Manchus is hereditary, and the Banner men are still the chief support of the Ta-tsing dynasty. The army of Manchuria must be profoundly affected by the Russian occupation of the country. The Luh-Ying or Green Flags, with a paper strength of 500,000 men, scattered through the empire, possess little military value, and as now organized can be of no real service.

The new armies consist of enrolled or conscript armies (irregulars), strength about 100,000 men, raised at the initiative of the viceroys and governors of provinces in the event of revolution or of war with Europeans; and the active armies, dressed like Europeans, and formed of the best men drawn from the Green Flag Army - strength 210,000 men. These troops occupy important strategic points, and are under the orders of the provincial authorities. The best of them are in the province of Chi-Li, where the army was reorganized by Yun-Hu and Lu-Chang.

Before the Boxer troubles, Major A. E. J. Marshall, of the British Army, one of the best authorities, summed up the number and disposition of the whole available force of China thus: