AWAKENING OF CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13357, 11 December 1906, Page 6

AWAKENING OF CHINA.

GREAT REFORMS. NAVAL AND MILITARY TRAINING. [BY telegraph.— correspondent.] Christchurch, Monday. • The Chinese Commissioner, who is on a visit to New Zealand, stated in the course of conversation with a Christchurch Press reporter that he had been despatched to the Australasian colonies by the Chinese Ambassador in London to investigate the condition of his fellow-countrymen, and to establish Chinese consulates in the principal cities in Australia and New Zealand. " China is undergoing a great reform," lie said, "and the development of railways and mines is receiving attention, while modern education is gaining ground, and military training is now developing in modern ways. But I wish it to be understood that China's reform in this direction is as a means of defence, not aggression. At the beginning of this year the Emperor of China sent five emissaries to all parts of Europe and America in order to gain knowledge in regard to the development of other countries, both from a military standpoint and otherwise. The result was that on their return, they presented a petition to the Emperor urging that a constitutional government should immediately be adopted, and that the officers, both civil and military, should be at once changed. That matter, however, has not been settled." Continuing, 1 the Commissioner said the officers of tne Chinese army were formerly German, but latterly several Japanese officers had succeeded the Germans. China had a population of some 40.000,000, and "of course," he added, "Ave have only to draw upon these and we have an extremely large army indeed.'' With regard to the navy, the Commissioner said that there were a number of cruisers in the Chinese northern waters, but China suffered from a lack of skilful naval men. They were now earnestly hoping that some suitable talent could bo developed in the Chinese colleges and' universities, so that officers of Chinese birth might take charge of the fleet. A number of Chinese students, about 100, .went to Japan annually in order to study matters connected with the navy. 's After leaving Christchurch the Commissioner will go on to Wellington and Auckland, returning to the Bluff, and leaving again for Australia on his homeward journey. So far, he has not established any consulates during his tour of the Australian States and New Zealand, but will probably do so at an early date.