No. 58.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Fish.
Peking, October 30, 1876. (Received Jan. 3, 1877.
Sir: During the time that I spent at Chefoo last summer the port was visited by the English, French, and German admirals. Great pains [Page 81] were taken by them to exhibit their vessels t) the viceroy and grand secretary, Li Hung Chang. He showed much interest in what he saw. This was natural, as he has had a great deal of experience in military and naval matters, is especially charged with the control of the arsenals of China, and all the several flag-ships were excellent vessels, those of the English and French admirals being iron-clads. I could not but feel during this time that our prestige as a naval power was likely to suffer in his eyes. Our admiral was not present, and our one ship in harbor was of indifferent merit. Under these circumstances and for other reasons, I felt disposed to point out to the viceroy that our scheme of naval organization differs from that of France and England, not because we have less enterprise or knowledge, but because our position and wants are different. As a power of great territorial extent, with no distant dependencies and few-occasions to anticipate a foreign war, we are content to provide thoroughly for the defense of our coast, and indisposed to expend large sums for the purchase of expensive iron-clad cruising ships. As it happened, the commander of the vessel of our Navy then present in Chefoo was Captain Matthews, who for a long time was in charge of our torpedo school at Newport. I presented him to the viceroy, and the result was a long conversation between them, which led the viceroy to ask him to visit Tien-Tsin. I communicated this invitation to Admiral Reynolds unofficially, and he at once gave the necessary orders to admit of its acceptance. I am now in receipt of a letter from Mr. Vice-Consul Pethick, in which he states that the viceroy has apparently taken up largely the views which Captain Matthews has presented to him, and has gone so far as to intimate a hope that he may be willing to enter the Chinese service.
You will be aware from my previous dispatches that I recognized fully the facts that the efforts of the Chinese to improve their military power arc costing them dearly, and that they are not showing an equal disposition toward the improvement of other branches of their administration, It will not be wise, however, to hold away from them for this reason. They learn but slowly, and one thing at a time; yet every step taken brings them nearer to a right conception of the duty of government. If they build ships now for purposes of defense, they will the sooner promote the building of those intended for commercial uses. If they establish arsenals for the manufacture of implements of war, they will the sooner favor the manufacture of plows, seed-drills, and reaping machines. It is, moreover, not the part of kindness to stand by while they waste money in unnecessary or extravagant expenditures for military purposes, when we can show them economical ways of accomplishing the same results. It is said that the viceroy has been charged with the general supervision of coast defenses, and that a sum of about six millions of dollars has been appropriated for immediate wants. This amount judiciously expended would do a great deal. If put into ironclad cruisers like the English flag-ship Audacious, it would bring them further expense and do them the least possible good.
About thirty advanced pupils from the schools established under the charge of Mr. Giquel, an officer of the French navy, are about to be sent to England and France to complete their scientific and military education.
Mr. Giquel will be stationed in Europe and have a general supervision of their studies. He has been pressing the viceroy to order iron clads; but I do not think it likely that he will be successful, although he is an officer of decided ability, and has done a great deal for the Chinese in [Page 82] military and other directions. I cannot regret his failure in the given instance.
I shall hope that the course which I have taken, as indicated in this dispatch, will meet your approval.
I have, &c.,