Nanking, 1 July. According to a contract between China and England were Chinese navy cadets to be trained in England. This contract was closed between the Chinese government and the British naval commission with the intention to develop the Chinese navy. The Chinese government seemed to have an extensive shipbuilding program and of which some ships were to be build in England.A second news item dated Shanghai, 1 July reported that a contract was closed between C.T. Wang and Lampson considering this program.(1) Well informed sources mentioned that Chine wanted to have 8 small cruisers and gunboats to serve along the coasts and inland waters to prevent smuggling and piracy. The all ready existing navy was hopelessly aged but building of capital ships was at the moment not considered.
Note
1. Sir Miles Wedderburn Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn (24 august 1880-18 September 1964) was British Minister to China in 1926-1933. Dr. Chengting.T. Wang (1882-1961) was the Chinese minister of foreign affairs.
