the classes in chinese language were developed primarily because of the possibility that casa might be called upon to, send civil affairs officers to the theater for use in formosa or on the china coast. a few officers who had some experience in the use of spoken chinese (mandarin) were called upon to serve as instructors. madame ling-fu yang, formerly curator of the national museum, peking became an instructor in this department, and conducted additional classes for the casa officers who were acting as instructors.