Denny to G. F. Seward, February 3, 1880

Mr. Denny to Mr. Seward.

Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 70, requesting me to report to you such facts, as I may be able to obtain regarding the war power of China, the condition of her army, navy, forts, arsenals, and training establishments, I beg to say in regard to the questions generally, that as my experience with them is limited, perhaps the most appropriate thing I can do is to refer to the valuable report of that accomplished soldier and military critic General Upton, upon the war power of China, contained between pages 12 and 32, and continued on page 389, made to the War Department in December, 1877.

The condition of the army, its numbers, and kinds of arms used, are about the same as when the general visited China. The navy in these waters now, instead of consisting of two wooden gun-boats as it did then, has had added to it eight small iron gunboats, each with one 35-ton gun, which are intended for harbor defense only. These additions, as well as all other military and naval changes, have hitherto been fully reported to the War Department at Washington by the commanders of the different United States gun-boats visiting this port.

The number and condition of the forts remain the same, the only increase in strength being the addition of a few medium sized Krupp guns.

There are two arsenals at Tientsin, and a recent visit to these showed them to be apparently in good working condition.

As to training establishments, I am not aware that there are any such in my district, except the torpedo school, which is now closed temporarily.

I am, sir, &c.