Wang Wen-shao, degraded three steps in rank, but retained in office as Viceroy of Chihli and Imperial High Commissioner of the Peiyang Administration, Tegs to report the changes he has made in his administration (since the late war), and the steps towards reorganisation made in the direction of both military as well as naval affairs in his jurisdiction. The plans of reorganisation started by the memorialist consisted in adding to the Peiyang Navy fast cruisers to be utilised tas scouts; training ships for cadets where both the practical and theoretical b-andies of their profession might be constantly pursued without interruption; 6! and docks; machine shops for the repairing of ordnance and firearms, and the engagement of properly qualified tutors to s per-intend the theoretical education of midshipmen attached to the fighting ships of the Peiyang fiver. In "ddition, memorialist provided the means by which to pay the additional wages of the newly organised land forces of the administration, etc. The naval defences of the Peiyang, truction of the ect at Weihaiwei)and with of course, had a programme (before the de: this og n basis the memorialist has greatly enlarged and reorganise-d his new schemes us the occasion justified. He has also ordered considerable machinery required fur the purpose of restoring the various shops (depleted by the Jupanese) and engaged the necessary artisans and labourers for them. Memorialist has also selected the deputies and officials qualitied to. take charge of the ordnance department, military and civil hospital and the dredgers connected with the said administration. He has further endeavoured to make proper reforms in the military and naval schools ut Tientsin so that there may be no lack of qualified officers when the country needs them. Peremptory orders have also been transmitted to the officers in charge of the training ships and those in charge of the military and naval cadets to maintain strict Gisciplinw in their several departments and to train all in the proper way. All these have been made un-ler instructions of the Throne and memorialist has diligently tried to enforce the Imperial commands in this matter. Memorialist has since received the report of the Provincial Treasurer and Taotais in charge of the Naval and Military Defence Pay Department to the effect that they have begun upon the reorganisation and repairs required to place the shipyards and docks at Port Arthur (Lushunk'ou) on a proper footing, and that competent officers have been sent to the spot to superintend the necess"ry work thereon. As for the money required to keep the new cruisers (torpedo cruisers) Feiting avd Feiying in a proper condition With full complements of mer, memorialist has arranged that the Army Rice Department shall furnish iv and transmit the fonds to the Pay Department above named to be paid monthly to the respective crews. The new cruiser Chienching built at the Foochow N-val Yard for the Peiyang administration, has had her name changed to that of Tungchi, while the changes necessary on board to fit her for a training ship for naval cadets have already been completed satisfactorily. Memorialist also, in accordance with his scheme of reorganisation, hae arranged, for the establishinent of a t ing school for soldiers who have shown aptitude and abu A school for the study of the Russian Innguage has also been inaugurated at Tientsin, in accord-nce with a proposal formerly made to the Throne, while, attached to the Ordnance Department, a machine shop has also been built with the necessary accessories for the repair of firearm, etc. 'The utmost economy, compatible with thoroughness, has been' exercised in all the above innovations and reorganisation, and whatever, owing to the multiplicity of matters,' may have Veen' allowed to pass unnoticed und ne-gleeted, at present, will be dealt with in the future as the matters crop up. 'The memorialist would request that the various Boards concerned, namely, Revenue, War, and Works, be instructed' to take note of the reorganisation work now going on and place the same on record in the said Boards.—Rescript: Noted. Let the Boards concerned also take note.
5th November.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.