No. 118.
Mr. Denby to Mr.
Bayard.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, October 14, 1885.
(Received December 5.)
No. 14.]
Sir: * * * I inclose herwith two decrees relating
to the reorganization of the imperial navy. The Tsung-li Yamên, Li Hung
Chang, and the Seventh Prince were ordered to report a scheme of
organization. They made their report. The Seventh Prince, Prince Chun, is
put at the head of naval affairs, and Prince Ching, who is a member of the
yamên, and Li Hung Chang are made colleagues.
[Page 174]
This means on the part of China the construction of a great fleet and putting
the coast in complete defense. It may result in the employment of American
officers to command the vessels.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 14.]
A decree published in the manuscript Peking Gazette,
October 12, 1885, issued by the Empress
dowager.
Some time ago, on account of the great importance of the reorganization
of the coast defense, we ordered the northern and southern ministers,
superintendent of trade, and others, to consider and report upon the
subject, and they have duly submitted their respective views. We further
ordered the princes and ministers of the grand council and of the
Tsung-li Yamên, in conjunction with Li Hung Chang, to carefully consider
this question and report. We also ordered the seventh prince to take
part in all their deliberations. These officers have now submitted a
comprehensive plan and they propose that a beginning be made by
perfecting the organization of the naval squadron of the northern coast,
and further improvements to be made gradually, year by year. As these
propositions are very satisfactory, therefore let Prince Chun be
appointed chief controller of naval affairs, and all measures of the
coast defense to be decided by him. Let Prince Ching and the grand
secretary and viceroy of Chihli, Li Hung Chang, be appointed as his
colleagues in this management, and the lieutenant-general of the Chinese
Red Banner Corps, Shan Ching, and the junior vice-president of the board
of war, Tseng Chi Tze (Marquis Tseng) are appointed as assistant
managers. Li Hung Chang will be made solely responsible for the
reorganization of naval affairs for the northern coast.
And the said princes and ministers will carefully and minutely consider
all necessary plans, and draw up proper regulations and submit them in
due course to the throne.
Respect this.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 14.]
A decree published in the manuscript Peking Gazette,
October 12, 1885, issued by the Empress
dowager.
Prince Chun and others, in obedience to our commands to consider and
devise plans for the reorganization of the coast defenses, submitted a
report in which they state that Taiwan (Formosa), being a place of great
importance, should have a high officer stationed there, &c.
Taiwan being the portal of our southern coast makes it a place of extreme
importance, and therefore arrangements should be made in keeping with
the changing times.
Therefore, let the office of governor of Fuhkien be changed to that of
Taiwan, said governor to permanently reside there. Let the affairs of
the governorship of Fuhkien be placed under the management of the
viceroy of Fuhkien and Chekiang. The said viceroy and governor will
deliberate carefully upon whatever may be necessary in effecting this
change and report thereon.
Respect this.
