No. 119.
Mr. Denby to Mr.
Bayard.
Department
of State,
Peking,
October 16, 1885. (Received December 5.)
No. 17.]
Sir: Tso Tsung T’ang, late viceroy at Nanking,
superintendent of southern trade, &c., who, with Li Hung Chang, has for
the last quarter of a century been the chief councillor of the Chinese
throne, and one of China’s most liberal statesmen, shortly before his death,
which occurred [Page 175] some weeks ago,
drew up the inclosed memorial, which was presented to the throne.
The late war with France has unquestionably been of great advantage to China
in many respects. It has shown her that her troops, well, or even
indifferently drilled, might resist a foreign invader. She has, moreover,
seen the inestimable advantage of telegraphic lines, which, as the Viceroy
Tso remarks, “have become indispensable in China.” Moreover, in the war with
France, China has been enabled to appreciate the superiority of foreign
armaments and modes of warfare; for, not only did the European arms, with
which her troops in Tongking were generally provided, enable them to resist
and frequently to defeat the French, but the confidence which the arms gave
her soldiers increased their courage tenfold. China’s war vessels, although
not as successful as they might have been if more ably manned, still
rendered her services which none of her older vessels could have possibly
done.
China, however, does not want to be subject to foreign countries for the
manufacture of her ironclads and her steel guns. She has had for some years
an arsenal at Foo-Chow, and at Port Arthur and Taku she has also naval
establishments, although on a smaller scale. The viceroy Tso had already,
proposed to the throne to allow the iron mines of Hsüchow and Unyuen to be
worked. Now he suggests that experienced chemists may be employed, for, as
he pertinently remarks, “mining and the manufacturing of ships and guns
always go together.”
The viceroy does not, however, limit his suggestions for the coast defenses
to the manufacture of iron-clads and cannon; he adds that railroads must be
modeled and built, “for trade is the backbone of the state.” The lines, the
viceroy suggests, may have an extent of a thousand miles, but these, he
remarks, are only as a trial, and when once they have proved a success, they
can be extended. A line to the northwest (i. e.,
towards the China-Russian frontier) is, he says, especially inevitable in
the future.
The memorialist requests the throne to sanction the creation of a ministry
for coast defense, in whose hands may be centered the vast plans which he
has referred to, and the decree of the 5th instant, which I forwarded in my
dispatch No. 14, shows that Tso’s memorial is being acted upon.
The men who form the new ministry of coast defense are very liberal in their
tendencies. The president, the father of the Emperor, known as the Seventh
Prince organized an arsenal some years ago near Peking, where arms and
ammunition of an approved pattern are manufactured, and where it is expected
that foreign machinery will be largely introduced. He is also largely
interested in coal mining, &c. Li Hung Chang and Prince I Ching, the
president of the foreign office, are well known to you. The latter, however
well disposed, will be most likely largely influenced by his colleagues, men
of much larger experience than he.
The moment is a momentous one for China. Li Hung Chang stands now the most
respected councillor of the throne. No doubt can be entertained that all his
efforts will tend towards China taking such steps in the way of progress as
may best tend to consolidate her power at home and abroad, increase the
wealth and well-being of the state, and give her the position among nations
which she has a right to bold. The first step is naturally in the way of
improving her military and naval forces, and to attain this end there is no
doubt that foreign aid will be eagerly sought there where China’s advisers
think she can get the best. For the time being German army and naval
officers are being nearly [Page 176]
everywhere employed; the arsenals and powder mills are being equipped
according to German plans, and ships and troops are under German
instructors.
Modern warfare is a science which embraces many others, and which calls to
its aid many branches of industry not originally connected with it. The
Chinese know full well the importance for military purposes of railroads and
telegraph lines, and there is no doubt that every effort will be made to
have such railroad lines made as will tend to facilitate the concentration
and provisioning of her troops. The working of her mineral resources which
we gather from the very able reports of Baron Richthoffer are immensely
large, will all require foreign assistance, at least in the first stages of
the work.
China has not been standing, still; factories of glass, woolen goods, paper,
&c., equipped in Western style, which are scattered over the country and
owned by Chinese subjects, are proofs of her enterprise, and now, if the
Government takes the question earnestly in hand, we may Look for the wide
adoption in China of many of our appliance and modes of manufacture. That
some of the above-mentioned enterprises have been unsuccessful proves
nothing, for the Chinese know that the fault lies within themselves. New
ventures in the same line are sure to follow, and when, success shall crown
any of their efforts the whole progressive movement will receive an impetus
which will insure its permanent establishment in the country.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 17.]
memorial on coast defense.
By the late Imperial Commissioner Tso
Tsung-Tang.
The memorialist, in compliance with an imperial decree directing him to
make propositions for the necessary coast defenses, prostrate requests
the establishment of a special minister of coast defense, with full
powers, so as to have the direction of affairs centralized and all the
conditions of coast defense under one control; and begs their majesties’
sacred glance upon his memorial. The memorialist humbly states that on
the 25th day of the 5th moon, 11th year of Kuang Hsü, he received from
the cabinet ministers an imperial decree promulgated on the 9th day of
the 5th moon:
“Although all the conditions of peace are completed, still there should
be no laxity in preparing coast defense. Great and sincere exertions
should be made for the future well-being, so that the defenses may be
relied upon long and permanently. Obey this!”
The memorialist, looking upwards, perceives that their majesties are
profound in their designs, caring for future contingencies, and showing
deep solicitude for the coast provinces; all of which calls forth
unspeakable admiration. The old age and the many ailments of the
memorialist render him unfit to animadvert upon and take in every affair
of state; still, if the memorialist discerns anything (beneficial to the
state) how dare he disobey their majesties’ order? And he therefore
presents the following propositions, which may their majesties be
pleased to select from and approve.
The memorialist numbly finds that the western countries have modeled and
manufactured constantly for tens and hundreds of years guns and ships,
thereby becoming powers on the seas, and doing what they wished to do in
all things. Were the military preparations of China of twenty years ago
compared with those of the West, we should be in no position to face
them (foreign armies and navies) in a single engagement. But during the
last ten or more years China has begun to establish gradually
dock-yards, arsenals, and naval academies; although things have not been
carried to perfection, yet the fundamental principles have been
acquired. From this fact a year ago when the French troubles were
initiated the Chinese were able to join in battle with the enemy, who
retreated before the fire of our tremendous guns at Chin-hai. The
successful result of our military preparations is obvious. Taking the
present condition of our navy into consideration, the memorialist is
sincerely of the opinion that the Chinese are inferior to foreigners in
drill and practice. Still, even foreigners admit [Page 177] that the Chinese are very clever and quick with
eyes, ears, and thoughts; and if those who hold superior positions would
learn in all sincerity, following the good points of the foreigners, it
would be possible even to direct their destinies, not to speak of
protecting our own country.
In another imperial decree the memorialist reverentially perused the
following:
“We, in planning and preparing defenses, have built dock-yards and
established a navy; yet the ships built are not strong, the arms
manufactured are not perfect, the officers selected are not experienced,
the funds devised are not sufficiently ample.”
The memorialist is of opinion that in building ships iron-clads should
take the lead, and in manufacturing arms steel guns ought to be
considered essential. A memorial proposing the building of large
dock-yards and arsenals with all the particulars fully set forth has
already been laid before the throne by the memorialist; since to
purchase ships and guns is not so advantageous as to build and
manufacture them. The Fuhkien arsenal is not so spacious as to admit the
building of large iron-clads; and the request for establishing big
dock-yards is of imperative importance, permitting no delay, The
memorialist hears that the former acting governor-general of Hu-kuang,
Pien Pao-ti, proposed starting an arsenal at the entrance of Fan-yaug Hu
in Kiangsi. The Yangtze River below Hankow and Wuchang is nowhere so
deep and so dangerous to navigation by the banks and indentations as
this place (Fan-yang Hu), and the memorialist begs their majesties to
order the governors of Hupei and Kiangsi to dispatch officials to have
the place sounded, and to deliberate upon the advisability of carrying
out the propositions. The breech-loading big guns are to be speedily
manufactured as soon as the arsenal is finished. Perhaps it is more
expedient, as the memorialist thinks, to order the arsenals in Kiangnan
and Kuangtung to first try manufacturing (big breech-loading guns) as
experiments, so as not to waste money and commit mistakes. All these
should be taken into early consideration. The memorialist considers that
the chief importance of organizing coast defense is to have a proper man
to take charge of it. That the Chinese navy is ineffective some
attribute to the want of exertion (on the part of the authorities); yet
among the metropolitan and provincial officials patriotic and good men
are not wanting. There must be some reason which accounts for the
hindrance which interferes with every step that is taken (in naval
affairs). The memorialist is acting as commissioner for the defense of
the seaboard and adviser to the cabinet; and he humbly perceives that on
account of the direction of affairs not being centralized everything is
difficult of management. The reason is this: The power of the board
ministers is great, because they receive direct decrees fom the throne
to deliberate in unison; but in every matter, whether great or small,
they mostly propose and follow out the requests of the high provincial
authorities. The power of provincial viceroys and governors is limited
to the territory under their control; even the high commissioners of the
Northern and Southern Oceans are not at liberty to intrude into the
matters of a province not under their jurisdiction.
As their majesties have truly said, to start and build ships and
manufacture arms in a single corner of the Empire is not arranging a
complete state of coast defense. If it is now desired to expunge the
evil of orders not being executed effectively, it is necessary to select
with care a virtuous and able man, and raise him to a high post, which
is to be called either minister plenipotentiary for coast defense, or
minister of the board of marine. In all matters relating to coast
defense, the minister calculating upon the entire state of affairs under
his control, can report to the throne and act. He should have full
powers to select officers, drill soldiers, devise funds, and build
ships. His permanent residence should be on the Yangtzŭ; but southward
he should watch over Fuhkien and Kuangtung, and northward guard the seat
of government. He should be at liberty either to perform his duties in
his yamên or to make his tours of inspection about all places under his
control, as circumstances demand, without being fettered in any respect.
An assistant minister should also be chosen to give advice and help to
his chief when in the yamên, superintend the works, and guard the office
when the first minister is away on his tours. When powers are vested in
a single person he cannot shirk his responsibilities; then success may
be immediately looked for; but such a minister, occupying such a high
position and shouldering such enormous responsibilities, must be a man
of excellent character and repute, well versed in foreign studies (or
affairs), arid respected by both foreigners and Chinese. As to the
various details the memorialist cannot propose beforehand, lest a
pre-established opinion may cause mistakes. The memorialist, enjoying
high imperial favors without being able to repay a particle, tremblingly
following the precept of the holy-philosophers of taking warning of the
past and care of the future, and laying before their majesties his
humble and limited experience, now presents the seven propositions which
are possible to decide on for the imperial perusal, and awaits a decree
for their execution and their majesties’ instructions.
The memorialist respectfully proposes seven propositions of coast
defense, devised and framed according to the exigencies of the present
times, and reverentially presents them for their majesties’ sacred
perusal.
[Page 178]
- I.
- War ships must be built in sufficient numbers. Foreign navies have
fast-steaming cruisers; gunboats; fish torpedoes, to assist their
strong and powerful iron-clads; transports, to carry provisions;
steam-launches and gigs to facilitate every movement; just as the
Chinese land forces, consisting of infantry, cavalry, battalions of
gingals and shields, which combined form an army—because they are in
need of each other they benefit one another. Since it is proposed to
make a grand reorganization of the navy, it is necessary not only to
have everything prepared, but to have everything perfect. The
old-fashioned half-fighting and half-merchant vessels should be made
to do duty as transports. The fast steaming cruisers of the latest
pattern are capable to a certain extent to enter into battle, but
they cannot fight alone. The entire length of the Chinese sea-coast
is estimated to be over ten thousand li; and we must at least have
ten large naval squadrons, well drilled, each squadron composed of
several iron-clads and a sufficient number of auxiliary vessels, so
that in case of war we may be able to meet the enemy.
- II.
- The naval regulations must be deliberated upon and adopted. The
conditions of the navy established in former times are different
from those of the present. Besides the naval forces doing duty in
the Yang-tsze and the inland rivers (which are to remain just as
they are) the sea forces all along the coast should undergo a
thorough uniform change. Moreover, the ships of the Nan-yang* and Pei-yang† are not a
well-organized squadron. Henceforth, since the sea forces are to be
reorganized, they should be placed under the direction of the
minister plenipotentiary for coast defense. Each squadron should
have a commander, equivalent to the rank of general in land forces,
and an assistant commander equivalent to the rank of commandant on
land; then should come officers holding ranks equivalent to colonels
and lieutenants in the military sense. All promotions, changes,
dispatches for service, and bestowals of posts among naval officers
are to be reported to the throne by the administrator of coast
defense before being carried into effect. The territorial
authorities are only to have control over land forces garrisoning
the port. Unless extraordinary emergency demands, they are not at
liberty to summon naval squadrons to their assistance. In performing
all official journeys and business special boats must be
requisitioned; the war ships cannot be indiscriminately
employed.
- III.
- Rules must be established for patrolling, guarding, drilling, and
practicing, so as to constantly exercise the squadrons. If the ten
squadrons were only doing the duties of defense without constantly
cruising about, being drilled and kept in practice, they might be
numerous, but they would be of no use. Therefore out of the ten
squadrons, it is proposed that eight should be distributed at Taku
for Tien-Tsin, Yun-chun for Nin-ku-ta, Chefoo for Shantung,
Tsung-ming for Kiang-nan, Chin-hai for Che-kiang, Foochow for
Fuhkien, Formosa and the Pescadores, and Kiung-chow (Hainan) and
Canton for Kuangtung. Each squadron is to be stationed at the places
assigned to it; Amoy, Swatow, Chinkiang, Peitang, and other places
will have war ships stationed within their harbors, detached from
the squadrons that are ordered to watch over the special provinces,
and they must be kept in drill and practice morning and night. The
eight squadrons stationed at different ports should exchange their
posts once in every four months, at which time they should meet in a
grand naval rendezvous. As regards the remaining two squadrons one
should cruise about Japan (lit. Eastern
Ocean), the other about the countries of the West (lit, Western Oceans), doing the same duty as the ships of
other nations in China, protecting the merchants; they can also
practice and learn to ride the storms, find out about sand-banks and
shallows, become acquainted with the climate and habits of the
people, discern the position and situation (of other countries’
coast), and study natural philosophy and manufactures. In case any
two countries are at war with each other these two squadrons should
go and watch the battles, and at the expiration of a year return to
take their place among the squadrons of defense, out of which two
others are selected to do duties abroad. A yearly report is to be
drawn up by the squadrons for cruise and for defense, detailing the
particulars of what they have learned and what they have practiced,
and presented to the administration of coast defense for
examination. The deportment of the officers in each ship is also to
be reported and the throne petitioned to award rewards or penalties
as cases may require.
- IV.
- The various administrations for various business should be
co-operative. Formerly the memorialist petitioned the throne to
allow the mines of Hsü-chow and Mu-yuen to be worked so as to
furnish materials for the building of iron-clads and manufacture of
steel guns. A decree was issued ordering the memorialist to
deliberate as to which was the best place to start a foundry.
According to ordinary circumstances the memorialist is of the
opinion that the governments of Liang Kiang, Fuhkien, and Chekiang
should devise and furnish funds to make an experiment; or that
honorable, titled, and wealthy merchants should be requested to
issue shares and start the enterprise. Experienced chemists should
be employed to explain and find out the best methods of assaying, so
that steel and iron may be speedily produced in order to meet [Page 179] all requirements. The fact
is that mining and the manufacturing of ships and guns always go
together. Now, as a minister plenipotentiary for coast defense is to
be appointed, all guns, ships, mines, foundries, and ammunitions
should be placed under his sole management; for thus duties can be
performed in a more expeditious manner. The memorialist proposes to
request the throne, as soon as a proper man is appointed to be
minister of board of marine, to abolish the office of high
commissioner in the Foochow arsenal, and to allow the minister to
select a man to fill the post in the arsenal with the approval of
their majesties. The arsenals of the other provinces are also to be
under the minister’s general direction, so that there may be
uniformity in very measure set on foot.
- V.
- Funds must be generally devised. The memorialist perceives that
informing the naval squadrons the expenses necessary must be
enormous. The yearly expenditure will be about three or four
millions.* Now, our
treasury is in an embarrassed condition, and unless all China exert
itself to bring forth its combined resources it is impossible to
carry out the plan. The first method of devising funds is to reduce
the army. If we decrease the regular army by six-tenths several
millions can be gained. If one-tenth of the funds for recruiting
soldiers were reserved it would bring in hundreds of thousands.
Moreover, taxes on foreign goods (?) or opium (?) can be increased,
and gun-junks along the coast can be done away with. This increase
on the one hand and abolition on the other will result in procuring
hundreds of thousands—even millions. May it please their majesties
to instruct the boards of revenue and war to find out what are the
present income and expenses, and what these would be after the
reductions in the different branches of service are made, and how
much funds can be devised thus, so that the yearly expenses for
administration of the coast defense may be fixed, which sums should
be considered as the revenue of the board, and no province be
permitted to be short in its remittance. The various provinces in
yearly subsidizing the arsenals and in purchasing foreign goods and
foreign materials (for military and naval purposes) expand several
tens of thousands. Whatever can be economized out of these every
year should be handed over to the minister of the board of marine,
who is to render an account of his expenditures to the
throne.
- VI.
- Railroads must be modeled and built. In foreign countries trade is
the backbone of the state, and China is different from them in
condition and circumstances. But railroads are built by the
merchants; military movements are benefited by the roads.
Transportation is facilitated and made expeditious, and wherever the
railroad extends there benefits accrue. Before the railroads were
made many hindrances were thrown in their path, but when once they
came into existence the people on that account grew rich, countries
became powerful, and goods imported were multiplied. That there is
every advantage and no detriment is only too obvious. The comments
of the masses arc multifarious, but there is no necessity to argue
with them and explain everything. As the Analects have it, “The
people can be made to follow, but cannot be convinced.” Take, for
instance, the telegraph and steam navigation, things China never had
before; yet once they are initiated they become indispensable. If
railways are introduced the benfits that will be derived are of
still wider scope. The memorialist is of the opinion that the first
railroad should be laid from Tungchow† to Tsing-kiang-pu,‡ so
as to connect the pivots of the north and south. Transportation
being made easy, the trade will become brisk; military movements
being rendered expeditious, the army may be reduced to a great
degree. Besides, the cost of the road is only several millions. If
shares are purchased by mandarins and merchants to make this read as
an experiment the plan can be carried into execution. Moreover, it
interferes in no respect with the country, or the livelihood of the
people. When this road is a success it can be extended. A railroad
for the northwest is especially inevitable in the future. The
memorialist proposes that as soon as the minister for the board of
marine is appointed he is to be instructed to deliberate upon the
subject, to devise methods for raising funds, to draw up proposals
for carrying the plan into execution, and finally to report
everything to the throne.
- VII.
- The ambition of the students must be encouraged. The Government,
in selecting students, considers of the first importance morals and
accomplishments; for morals are the motive principle, and
accomplishments are for action. In the year previous Pan Yen-tung
memorialized the throne to start a special examination for students
who study arts and crafts, and the memorialists, obeying a decree,
deliberated in unison [with Pan] and framed a circular to the effect
that [Confucian] doctrine and arts or crafts are from the same
origin and cannot be separated into two different objects; so that
able and talented men are to be had even among those who pursue the
latter studies. Now, the memorialist, having some personal
experience in seaboard affairs, and having made minute inquiries in
all matters, is of the idea that not only such a college as the one
proposed by Li Hung-chang, where naval and military men [Page 180] can study polytechnics,
manufactures, geography, and laws, so as to combine morals, with
accomplishments, should be opened, but it is also necessary to start
a Government school and to frame regulations in accordance with
which scholars may be enabled to advance themselves. Foreign books
are to be translated and carefully written out. The students and
people are to be instructed so that they can teach each other. Then
ability and talent will be inexhaustible. The best methods to be
adopted to carry out this project will be proposed by the minister
plenipotentiary fer coast defense.
The memorialist humbly awaits the imperial decision on these seven
propositions.
