180216
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[41856]
No. 1.
[November 15.]....
185
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 15.)
(No. 394.) Sir,
Peking, October 29, 1909. WITH reference to my despatch No. 361 of the 6th instant, reporting on the special mission appointed to proceed to Europe for the purpose of studying naval questions, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith translation of a memorial by the Board of Revenue dealing with the means of raising the funds required for China's
new navy.
This memorial, which I consider deserves to be forwarded to you in full, is of interest as containing a complete statement as to what sums are at the disposal of the Government for naval purposes. It appears that towards the sum of 18,000,000 taels estimated as initially required, the Board can only hope to raise some 11,000,000 taels from the provinces, an amount which will be increased by the repayment to the Treasury in the course of the years 1911-1915 of the 5,000,000 taels lent to the Board of Communications for the redemption of the Peking-Hankow Railway. In addition, the Board of Revenue estimate an annual deficit in regard to the sum necessary for working expenses, and they accordingly express the hope that the Government should confine their efforts to laying the groundwork of a navy rather than attempting to form an efficient fighting unit for the present.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Extract from "Official Gazette" of the 18th October, 1909.
Memorial of the Board of Revenue on method of meeting requisite Expenditure for China's new Navy.
(Translation)
ON the 17th August last, in obedience to orders from the throne, a memorial was submitted by the naval commissioners, setting forth proposals for the formation of a new navy in China. These proposals received the Imperial sanction, and were handed to our Board, together with an accompanying memorandum, and orders were at the same time given us to devise some method to meet the requisite expenditure.
This memorial estimated the initial sum required as 18,000,000 taels, and the sum required yearly for upkeep as 2,000,000 taels. It petitioned the throne that instructions be given to our Board to devise means with all dispatch to raise these sums, and that we should in turn instruct the various Viceroys and governors throughout the Empire to assist us in our endeavours. The memorandum particularised the items for which these sums were required. 1,500,000 taels were necessary for the erection of naval dockyards, opening of naval colleges, and purchase of every species of naval requisite and machinery. Two years was fixed as the period within which this sum should be found, 500,000 taels to be subscribed during the present, and 1,000,000 taels during next year. The remaining 16,500,000 taels it was estimated would be required for the purchase of the following ships: a total of three 2nd and 3rd class cruisers, two new pattern training ships, two torpedo-boats, and one large- size gun-boat. Four years was fixed as the period within which this latter sam should be found.
An examination of the foregoing reveals the fact that the initial outlay required for the formation of China's navy is extremely large. It amounts to over 6,600,000 taels during the present year, made up as follows: 500,000 taels for naval dockyards, &c. (1,000,000 taels to be found next year), quarter of 16,500,000 taels, or over 4,100,000 taels, for the creation of a fleet, and 2,000,000 taels for running expenses. Previous to the abolition of the former Board of Admiralty it was customary for the Provinces to subscribe towards the upkeep of the navy, but on its abolition these funds were
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