In the German magazine Militaire Zeitung wrote a German captain that the officers of the Japanese navy all came for the best families. Except form their military honour attitude were they well trained and possessed a large practical and technical knowledge. The sailors were volunteer and for which serving within the navy was a honour and a privilege. They were courageous and excellent sailors. At that moment was the personnel strength of 900 officers and 27,000 sailors against 170 officers and 11,000 sailors ten years ago. German officers while serving in China had the opportunity to observe the Japanese navy personnel.
