New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-14

listen to the pratings of the insurrectonists, ana
thus the navy is recruited from much petter
and more patriotic class of men, Again the Chi-
nesc naval officers educated in the various naval
academies by foreign instructors, and are taught
and disciplined according to the systems in vogue
in the services of the United States, England ana
France.
The Imperial Government supports three naval
colleges for the education of cadets officers, one
at Tienstsn, another at Wei-ha-woi, and the third
at Foochow. The instructors are graduates OF
naval academies of foreign countr;es-our own pre-
dominating-and follow the instruction Of the
cadet from the time of his admission to the academy
until his entry into the regular navy. The sys-
tom Of instruction is as thorough the Chinese
boy can grasp, but is chiefly practical rather than
theoretical so that by the time the course is fin
ished the graduate is thoroughly competent to as
sumo his life duties on q man-of-war. The cadets
are usually chosen from the families of prominent
officials living in the sea coast provinces, but men,
bers are admitted from any other Official and man.
DARN class.
The Chinese Navy proper comprises about
seventy men-of-war, not including many small
transports and revenue cruisers, which, in time OF
need could be srmed and placed into active serv-
ice These vessels manned and officered by
Chinese subjects, the only foreigners allowed on
vessels in commission being the instructors in spe-
cial departments, such as gunnery, seamanshlp,
electricity, or torpedoes and as soon as Chinese
official qualities he is placed In charge oil the
branch. and the foreign instructors return to the
academies to resume the training Of the cadets.
The majority Of the Chinese fleet has been built
by European contractors, and embrace the latest
improvements in modern naval science. Such YES
sells are as formidable as any of similar classes
mad bxr foro nations and OF action
would be formidable vessels to attack Many OF
them, are steel armor-clads, carrying very heavy
cannon. and possess fighting qualities which VIII
make them factor in the next war waged By
China The fleet sent last year to Japan con
sisted of six amor-clad ram cruisers, whose eA
celence of drill and knowledge shown by oniccrs
and men, made strong impression upon all lor-
eigners who saw them. That these vessels could
cope with reasonable prospect of success with
any similar armed antagonists we have no DOUBT.
In addition TO the foreign-built cruising vessels
there are a number Of gunboats carrying generally
one " two breech-oading ten-inch rifles, ana ne
signed for harbor and coast defence, and con-
siderable number Of torpedo boats of the smaller
classes.
The Chinese Navy is divided into two fleets.
the Northern Peiyang squadron. with head
quarters at Wei-hai-wai has under its jurisdiction
to tie Northward of Foochow; and the Tanyang
or Southern squadron with headquarters at Can
ton. all the coast South Of Foochow. Each
SQUADRON has its own admiral, but is governed
directly by the Viccroys of Chilli and Canton re-
spectively, who are held per onally responsible
by the Emperor for the efficiency and warlike
condition Of the two fleets. At Fcochow, the
intermediate polnt and the principe dock-yard OF
the Empire torpedo mandatory has bee0 re-
Gently established Chinese officials have been
sent to Europe and the United States to learn
all about the fabrication of these powerful weap-
ons of modern warfare, and upon their return
will replace the foreigners now employed py the
Imperial Government in developing the WORKS
lately planned and begun 1t is proposed to build
all torpcdoes and torpedo boats at this factory ana
thus render China independent of foreign nations
for the supply of all her war materla'.
The Chinese army owing to its primitive
weapons has never shown itself capable OF sue
cessfully opposing a foreign force, but with the
changes recently wrought in the personnel ana
arms. the army will probably in the next war
redeem many Of its lost laurcls. The Chinese
Navy has on all occasions shown a record oil
bravery and devotion which in other nations
would have gained more merit than in China
A. The battle of Foochow in August 1884, the
few obsolete Chinese ships resisted, until the
last vessel was sunk or blown up. the attack OF
an ovcrpowcrng French squadron, armed with
the most approved types of guns and armor, ana
supplied with torpcdoes In the next war we
must foresec that things have greatly changed
China has thrown off the conservatism which
has marked her course for centuries and now
POSSESSES feet of powerful modern-built vessels
armed with all the improvements known 10
modern naval warfare and Differed by class
Of men educated according to the best systems Of
foreign naval education.