Legation of
the United States,
Peking, December 12, 1882.
(Received January 23, 1883.)
No. 74.]
It will be interesting as showing the progress of the Chinese in developing
their system of technical naval education, and the methods employed in the
management of their cadets.
[Inclosure in No. 74.]
Proclamation by his excellency Li Hung
Chang.
[A proclamation issued by Earl Li, viceroy of Chihli,
senior guardian of the heir apparent, high commissioner of coast defense
for the northern seas, and acting superintendent of trade, calling for a
competitive examination of candidates.]
Inasmuch as formerly a want has been felt for the two branches of naval
and engineering schools, I did establish on the seventh moon of the
sixth year of Kwang Hsü, a naval school in Tien-Tsin for northern
students only. This establishment has existed now for a year and more,
and some progress has also been made, but it has never arrived at the
full complement required, owing either to the dull abilities of the
scholars or to their being too old for the purpose. This has arisen
perhaps on the score that too small an allowance has been made for the
students. I have, therefore, altered the regulation of granting a
monthly allowance of one tael for each scholar to four taels per month.
This sum will be sufficient to afford sustenance for a moderate sized
family. In the naval school at Foo-Chow scions of respectable families
studied there, and on the completion of their course were promoted to
captaincies of ships of war. Some of these have now attained to the
second and third ranks; some even have had bestowals of reward for
bravery. Now, as regards these candidates for the Tien-Tsin school, if
such among them also complete their course, I have also decided to
memorialize the throne to bestow marks of honor on them. The principal
regulations are as follows:
All students, members of respectable families, below the ages of sixteen
and seventeen years, without distinction of provinces, capable of
writing an ordinary composition or half a thesis, who wish to be
candidates, are required to write down their ages, commencing from next
year, and also the names of their great-grandfathers, grandfathers, and
fathers, and go to the naval school and have them recorded. The
superintendent of that establishment will then examine the said
candidates and class them according to their examination papers. Now,
the scholars of the present hour are the future bulwarks of the Empire,
and they will be awarded according to their several abilities. The
following are the regulations for admittance of the candidates:
- 1.
- Candidates who are admitted are required to produce a written
document from parents or guardians stating that they are willing
to follow the rules and regulations of the school. They are also
required to produce a bond from some of the gentry of
Tien-Tsin.
- 2.
- Scholars are put on probation for the first three months,
board and lodging free; at the expiration of which time those
that are retained will obtain an allowance or four taels per
mensem.
- 3.
- Scholars are to stay in school for five years, during which
time they are not allowed to marry or to go to the literary
examinations, for fear these might obstruct their proper
studies. This regulation must be put in the bond.
- 4.
- Scholars in the naval school will study in order that at some
future time they may command ships. Those of the engineering
school will study how to take care of the machinery of the
vessels. After a time they will be required to put into practice
their several branches.
- 5.
- Scholars of the naval school in every seven days are required
to study two days Chinese under Chinese teachers. In the evening
the English teachers will take them out and exercise them in
naval drilling.
- 6.
- In the spring, summer and winter terms deputed examiners will
go to the school and examine the scholars, while at the autumn
term I will proceed myself to examine them. Those who stand at
the head of their classes will be rewarded with commissions, and
those who are of lower standard will receive rewards in money,
brevet rank, and clothing.
- 7.
- Scholars of the naval school have one day’s holiday every
fifteenth day of the month. Scholars of the engineering school
have one day’s holiday every first Sunday of the month, during
which day the parents and brothers of the scholars will be
admitted to see them. Three days’ holiday are given on the fifth
day of the fifth moon and on the fifteenth day of the eighth
moon. Fifteen days are allowed for the new year’s holidays.
Fifty days are allowed for leave of absence at the death of
parents; at their burial, six days. No leave of absence is
granted at the death of a scholar’s grandparents, uncles, or
brothers.
- 8.
- Sick leave will be granted only in extreme cases, moderate
illness being treated in the school, and such things as medical
attendance and medicines will be provided by the school.
