"1, The number and organization of units, "The announced numbers of men and horses are false and the real numbers are very small, while for food the Chinese have only rice, and during battles they are not able to resist because of fatigue.
Desertions take place and replenishments are sent up but the reinforcements are inadequate.
"Only 20 to 30 per cent. of the men in the various units are regular soldiers, while the rest are farmers and coolies who are poorly tained.
"2. Treatment, "The salary of a second class private receives $12, a special class private. $13; a non-commissioned officer, $14; a middle class officer, $16, and a higher class officer, $20.
"But after deducting $6 to $8 for food, a maintenance fee of $1.50, and $.40 for clothing there is scarcely any money left from the salary. Even if there is any left it is taken by the officers.
"Almost all their clothing is-supplied by the soldiers themselves, while food is obtained wherever the front may happen to be. The front line troops are fed once a day, sometimes twice if they are fortunate,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.