CHINA
603
the Imperial Government was so inert in protecting its own property. Now, however, there is no need to preach the gospel of railway construction, and only lack of funds retards the completion of many new lines.
An official report issued in 1916 showed that the operated mileage of Government Railways was 3,543 miles, to which have to be added 150 miles of private lines and 1,500 of "concessioned lines"; in all, 5,193 miles. It is interesting to note that the greater part of railway construction has taken place north of the Yangtsze River. If the Shanghai Nanking Railway be included and from the commercial point of view it should be grouped with the Northern interests-only 10.372 per cent. of the total operating mileage in China ies south of the Yangtsze waterway. In plans for future constructions, however, Southern China is well provided with prospective lines. An important development took place in 1916 when the American firm of Siems & Carey signed, on May 17th, a contract with the Chinese Government for the building of railways in China. On September 29th the detailed plan for the working out of the original agreement was decided upon. Under these agreements Siems & Carey were to have entire charge of the construction of the railways to be built under the contract, and the American International Corporation (with which Siems & Carey is affiliated) undertook the flotation of the bonds for the Chinese Government in this work. The railways contemplated were as follows, though it was provided that if they were not feasible equal mileage should be allotted elsewhere in China :
1. From Fengcheng in Shansi Province to Ningsia in Kansu Province. 2. From Ningsia in Kansu Province to Lanchowfu in Kansu Province. 3.-From Hangchow in Chekiang Province to Wenchow in Chekiang Province. 4.-From Hengchowfu in Hunan Province to Nanning in Kwangsi Province.
5. From Lu йwei in Kwangtung Province to Chungchow in Kwangtung Province. These lines were to be built upon a percentage basis as initiated by Pauling & Company in their Shasi-Shingyifu railway agreement. Negotiations, however, were inter- rupted for various reasons, but now the survey of 1,600 miles of railway is to be commenced.
Great diversity exists on Chinese Railways in the type of locomotives used, due to the fact that the funds for constructing the various railways were furnished by different foreign markets, and in many of the loan agreements it is stated by implication, at least, that other things being equal the country that makes the loan should enjoy preference in furnishing the material for construction.
Statement of revenue of principed railways in 1916 :—
Line
Revenue
Peking-Hankow....
Peking-Mukden..
Tientsin-Pukow
Chengting-Taiyuan
Taokow-Chinghua
Canton-Kowloon
Peking-Suiyuan
Chuchou-Pingshang.
Name of Road
1.-Peking-Hankow...... 2.-Peking-Mukden 3.-Tientsin-Pukow
4. Shanghai-Nanking
J
5.--Shanghai-Hangchow Ningpo...
6.-Peking-Kalgan
7.-Kalgan-Suiyuan
8.-Ching-Tai
9.-Taokow-Chinghwa
10. Kaifeng-Honan 11.—Kirin-Changchun 12. Chuchow-Pingsiang 13.-Canton-Kowloon 14. Canton-Samsui
15.-Changchow-Amoy
...
20,150,000,00
Increase 3,008,905,00
Decreas
14,362,296,00
915,635,00
9,492,348,00
963,310,00
2,154,000,00
81,000,00
827,100,00
193,700,00
788,763,00
46,722,00
3,960,300,00
346,806,00
738,545,00
61,110,00
Total Cost
$102,5 9,796.45
Cost per Mile
$126,757.82
58,217,515.39
94,237,279.06
! 6,146.31 137,020.64
30,436,154.51
149,747.74
15,620,250.40
95,123.57
12,940,314.25
88,914.07
9,553,259.02
80,448.47
...
23,092,146.90
152,966.76
7,281,141.02
76,862.25
13,355,784.44
116,184.28
6,193,594.42
78,083.26
4,743,044.68
79,050.59
16,708,405.55
187,734.74
3,262,490.80
107,319.10
Total......$398,221,176.89
118,742.98