(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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47204
REC
Rent 29 DEC 08
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[42908]
No. 1.
[December 8.]
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Admiralty to Foreign Office.-(Received December 8.)
Admiralty, December 7, 1908. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a letter from the Commander-in-chief, China, dated the 30th October last, reporting an interview with the Viceroy of Chi-li with regard to the co-operation and advice of British naval officers in the possible re-establishment of the Chinese navy.
I am, &c.
C. I. THOMAS.
(Signed)
Inclosure in No. 1.
(Confidential.) Sir,
Vice-Admiral Sir H. Lambton to Admiralty.
C
King Alfred" at Hong Kong, Octuber 30, 1908. I HAVE the honour to report that on my recent visit, to Tien-tsin his Excellency Viceroy Yang, when returning my official visit, referred, through his interpreter, to the re-establishment of the Chinese navy, and I understood that he either had memoralized the Throne on the subject or intended to do so.
C
He said that the Chinese would be glad to avail themselves of the advice of British naval officers to assist them in the work. The Viceroy also mentioned the word co-operation," and as far as I could gather there is some idea of starting a ship- building yard capable of turning out small cruisers, destroyers, and gun-boats-this yard to be worked conjointly by English and Chinese.
The Viceroy himself is well known for his interest in naval matters, but I cannot say how much authority he had for his proposals, or whether his memorial has reached or passed the Throne.
In reply, I informed the Viceroy I should be very pleased to forward his remarks to the British Admiralty, who would no doubt be gratified at China's fresh proof of good-will, &c.
I have, &c. (Signed) H. LAMBTON, Vice-Admiral.
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