According to this newspaper paid the Chinese government since 1884 after the war with France more attention to her navy. Before the war with Japan consisted the navy of 2 2nd class warships, 9 harbour vessels, 50 cruisers and 41 torpedo boats. The British navy officer Lang did his best to train the crews and a good maintenance of the ships. Caused by jalousie of some Chinese he was forced to leave the service in 1891 and since was the navy completely neglected. During the war with Japan behaved the Chinese sailors bravely in contrary to their officers and had the Chinese navy hardly any fighting value. China possessed 5 naval arsenals and dock of which Port Arthur was the most important. Although nothing in common known about the Chinese naval strength and programs it was believed with certainty that she was stronger than before the war with Japan.
Notes
1. This must be the Sino-French War in August 1884-April 1885 for which country obtained the control over Tonkin (northern Vietnam).
2. China and Japan were between 1 August 1894 and 17 April 1895 in war primarily for which country obtained the control over Korea. China lost this war.
