To the Editor of the "Nont-Citta Datty News."
Sun,—I was interested to see your article on "Chinese Naval Strength" in the "North-China Sunday News of 19th March, 'There are just a fow points which would make that short account more complete, and would remove an implication' that is incorrect.
However short such an account may be, credit. must. be given to Li Hong-Chang for his vision in. the eighties in realising at that, time that a Navy was a necessity to [China, in consequence of possible developments in Japan's policy in Korea," Jo realised that sea power was the key to the situation under the circumstances, and. that, long as, China was superior to Hiapan'st sen, hat country could for move into Karen, It was hips and al oticers and instructors were obtain: fed) in 1888, "Admiral Long headed this Naval Mission, which' worked in the Chinese Navy for three years ntl" 1601, when "Admiral Long, for reasons which it ly necessary to" enter upon here, Resigned, tak Jing'the Mission with him So far my" researches have gone, the Show that it was on" Admiral [Long's recommendation to Li Hung: (Ghang, that funds. were earmarked for the purchase of ammuniti for training, and for other necetaties of the feet. This money tps not made available until after Ranuiral Long had left China, but war before the Sino-Japanese (not after, as the author of your article. implies). Ubat. these Finds were diverted by the Empress Dowager for the building of" the Summer Palace, The net result was that the Chinese Fleet was handicapped by lack of sun munition, and though tt put an stout resistance, and wat bravely ted, the sen battle of Yalu,
ed, was los whic the Chinese cause depen phere fe n0 doubt, that Admiral Long and his staff had. Toft the Ghincce'"'Flect ina, very efficient
ing: an of the guns were align $0 fa as the actual a concerned, and there is no. Treason other that Tack of ammunition why the Chinese should not have Won tHe "Gite in"2804, Had hey not Shortage of this eavential contnod= cen handicapped by the very grea It is interesting, although _possibly not, very profitable, to speculate on what would have happened, this battle had been. a Chinese victory. Tt probably would ha
been' ak land an army foe ant that Japan would not have Karen for, a decade or so, until [China had been defeated at sea. Thus Japan's advent into Korea} would at least have been delayed for a long period. The Russo Japanese War might not have been fought, until'a much later date, it fought at all; and, through Russia, the history of Esvope as well of the Par East for the last 49 years would have been entirely Biferents All "on. account. small Navy at the "eriteal "time having being deprived of essential Chinese maritime history, the names of Li Hung-Chang and Admiral Long must always stand ut and tocthese names that of tniral Sal: Chen-Ping must be added, Admiral Sah, who is now nearly BO Years old, was commander during a particularly trying period, find his Bae character, "absolute tegrity, courage, kindliness and modesty would do credit. to. the first. representative of any nation. He is one_of the Grand Old" Men of China, just as in Japan, Admiral Togo may be. said to Hold'a-corresponding standing. based on sterling /qualit To British people, it will Bo'of interest to note that both these two Grand Old Men received feat part of their carly training in England. Perhaps it is not too much to hope that from out of the thirty-five or so young Chinese naval ficers who are tow being trained in the old country, several may, setae won cans tothe great ones of the pass treneratfens, able to face successfully the dificult times would add that the Tower pieture in your article fa not that of a naval craft at all, The Hueshi is a gunboat belonging to the Chiped Customs, not to the Chinese Commodore, C.N. and Naval Advisor to Admiralty, Nanking, Nanking, Mar, 20, 1933,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.