This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[April 1.]
SECTION 3.
499
[11127]
(Confidential.) Sir,
No. 1.
Admiralty to Foreign Office.--(Received April 1.)
Admiralty, March 31, 1908.
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that you will inform the Secretary of State that they have received an application from Rear-Admiral Sah, who is acting on behalf of the Chinese Government in the matter, for two or more of the Chinese Sub-Lieutenants who are at present studying in England to be allowed to undergo further training in his Majesty's ships for two or more years, so that they may become duly qualified Lieutenants.
As Sir Edward Grey is aware, it is the policy of the Admiralty to discourage applications for commissioned officers of foreign nations to serve on board His Majesty's ships, and in recent years the only exceptions made have been in the case of two Japanese officers.
In view, however, of the importance of maintaining British influence in the matter of the building up of the Chinese navy, my Lords hesitate definitely to refuse the admission of some of the young Chinese officers for further training, and, with reference to Admiralty letter of the 14th instant, and to previous correspondence, they would suggest for Sir Edward Grey's consideration that the present request should be used to obtain through diplomatic channels a definite promise that, if a foreign adviser is engaged for the Chinese navy, a British officer should be chosen.
On such an undertaking being given, my Lords would be prepared favourably to entertain Admiral Sah's present request.
I am, &c. (Signed) C. I. THOMAS.
[2921 a-3]
F
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[April 1.]
SECTION 3.
499
[11127]
(Confidential.) Sir,
No. 1.
Admiralty to Foreign Office.--(Received April 1.)
Admiralty, March 31, 1908. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that you will inform the Secretary of State that they have received an application from Rear-Admiral Sah, who is acting on behalf of the Chinese Government in the matter, for two or more of the Chinese Sub-Lieutenants who are at present studying in England to be allowed to undergo further training in his Majesty's ships for two or more years, so that they may become duly qualified Lieutenants.
As Sir Edward Grey is aware, it is the policy of the Admiralty to discourage applications for commissioned officers of foreign nations to serve on board His Majesty's ships, and in recent years the only exceptions made have been in the case of two Japanese officers.
In view, however, of the importance of maintaining British influence in the matter of the building up of the Chinese navy, my Lords hesitate definitely to refuse the admission of some of the young Chinese officers for further training, and, with reference to Admiralty letter of the 14th instant, and to previous correspondence, they would suggest for Sir Edward Grey's consideration that the present request should be used to obtain through diplomatic channels a definite promise that, if a foreign adviser is engaged for the Chinese navy, a British officer should be chosen.
On such an undertaking being given, my Lords would be prepared favourably to entertain Admiral Sah's present request.
I am, &o. (Signed) C. I. THOMAS.
[2921 a-3]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.