INTERNATIONAL INTRI-
GUES IN CHINESE RAILWAYS...
Belgium, French, and Russia Railway Policies in China.
Review,
trunk line. China
the
not
patiently waited to see what
lines.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
It is
EXTRA
HONGKONG, MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1914,
have
that 8800
The
purely Balgain interests of the deep warm water port on the The acquirement by alleged object of her dreams, outlet to
achieved by Russia under the right to build this railway was Pacific, and one may be excused one of "the
greatest victories for conjuring in one's mind a
:
was
Loan.
have appeared in many foreign borders out at the expanse of then Acting Minister of Finance fully corroborate the fact that the constuction of the line to La-secured a through line from Cen- maps and have been designated China, and with the aid of her bad tried to secure a loan for Belgians are in reality soting in chow and Suohon if she agree-tral Asia to the mouth of the as Rossian projects, and to those ally and her agent attempt to $1,000,000, on the security of the China on behalf of Kussis, and meat had been made with any Yangtze Rivet, with a good port who have studied the railway gain in China Proper what she Kelgan line from America, that M. de Vos, in his capacity as country other than her ally or policies of the various Powers in has had to relinquish in Man- Although this sum represented the the head of a Belgian syndicate, her agent? That is a fair.ques-which can be developed to accom- Chino, no other constraction can churia. be placed on the designing of the The Revolution presented her bankers would not listen to such a agent of Russia, although engaged.
entire cost of the line, American must likewise be regarded as an tion.
|modate ocean-going steamers."- [The article which follows is
Everything points to the con- with the opportunity in Mongolia proposition. But the represent-professionally It will be remembered that in The dominance of Mongolia by ations of their agent in Peking financier.
巍物 8 Belgian olusion that this line was secured
The British Government was: taken from the Far Eastern 1808 the Russo-Chinese Bank Russia under the guies of acknow-convinced them that the line was Russian Group are:
The names of the by M. de Voa in furtherance of asleep, China was hypnotized, It will be read secured the concession for the line ledging the independence of the a valuable one, and that the Banque Russo-Asiatique
Rassia's special interests for the and now they awaken again to with interest only for from Chengtingfa to Taiyuanfa. Mongolians is fresh history. With Chinese would only concede this A Spitzer & Company
penetration of China from Central | find that another clever move b the wealth öf infor- The question arises, why did the loss of her govereignty over loan to America for fear of its J. Henry Schroeder & Company the time, comes, the right to a secured for her ally the great Asia, and to give to Russia, when been made and that Belgium has matien it contains but also Russia esek a concession in the Outer Mongolia, China has to falling into the hands of Russia Eastern Bank, Limited as an example of enterprising province of Shanei? The answer carry on a costly and tedious war- if the load were raised in Europe. Societe Bolge d'Etude de Chemins journāliem.
port on the coast of China. Our readers may perhaps be found in the fare against the Urga authorities The American, bankers were wil de Fer on Chine
Banque Sino-Belge cannot fail to appreciate the verbal agreement given by H.E. who now claim jurisdiction over ling to advance the funds but Societe Generale de Belgique immerse amount of labour Sleng Kung-pao (the then Min- all the Mongol tribes, for the final were prohibited from so doing by Banque D'Outremer [Belgian) and research which must ister of Communications) to the possession of the Inner Strip. the command of the American Or, in other words, this is the have been entailed in the Russo-Chinese Bank, that if the Why has Russia forced this issue Government, who refused to por-identioal Group for which M. de nose of her opponents, and in the picture of the not distant fatare collection of the facts here Bank constructed the line to the on China at a time when the mit the neutrality agreed upon by Vos had been acting up to the future will have a far-reaching when the Russian Boar will be given. In Saturday's issue satisfaction of the Chinese Govern Government is struggling to hold the Powers to be broken. The time the Russians were admitted effect upon the destinies of Chins squatting on the north bank of the tho Pakow-Hoakow con-ment, tipy would be accorded the the country together and preserve American bankers were cession was discussed among right to constract the extension ite integrity in the greatest crisis saquently compelled to retire, the atare names ksfore us, it is in the Yangtze valley. other things, and the instal from Taiyuanfu to Sianfu, It is of its history?
con-into the Sextuple Group. With and the position of Great Britain Yangtsze, near Tangohow, grin. ment left off in the middle well to bear the fact in mind that
but still endeavoured to maintain well to stop and analyze the com of a discussion of "the the right to construct the exten-Russia's plans are bearing fruit, Americans were specially urged proceeding further.
The reason is not far to seek footing for this loan. The postion of the Group before desires of Russia for an ice free other bank at Shanghai, or Woo- Always bearing in mind the ingat thediscomfited Lion on the Canton Hankow railway aion was promised to the Russo- and the dissensions and jealousies by the Chiners to take up the intrigue."]
port, we can now follow more in-sung, its port, while Chanticleer Obinese Bank.
Shortly after the Russians ge- have presented her with an op- an established policy of the Belgians in Theme of the quietly signed. The osteneibleinen available.
of the Powers and the Bankers loan or the grounds that it was Concession was signed by the since the loan agreement
The Peking-Hanknow Railway telligently the course of events will crow from any and every China, at that time made Amer-cured the concession for the Tai-portunity, which she has profited Chinese Government never to Societe Belge d'Etude de Chemins terminus of the line was placed The Hiwal River Conservancy ica pay the price for the breach of yuan line, the Belgians sacceeded by, to advance her interesta. faith, an error which was in signing the agreement for a
permit the Kalgan line to fall de Fer en Chine, which, according at Haiohow, a small port south of committed with intention, 38
The Notorious "Belgian Loan." ander the influence of any to the French Government Yellow Shantang. Every ekipper on the line from Kaifeng to Honanfu, We must go back to the time European Power, for fear that Book of 1900, was
While on the subject of the the shares were bought up along the Yellow River. Why of the Revolution and trace briefly Russia might be interested and Belgian syndicate, in which the only be created at Haichow with terninus noar Tungohow and the
Franco-China const knows that a port can on the market privately. But did the Balgians eet such store the struggles of both sides to so secure the control of the much- Belgian share wasonly 40 per cent. the initial expenditure and con- railway to Taingkiangpu, we may leaving out of question feel-upon a short, apparently insigni- secure fande to carry on the war, coveted approach to Peking. We ings of the American who had ficant line that began nowhere All the foreign Governments had Only to America, it was then Rosso-Chinese Bank (now Russo- money, and for all practical pur- another important phase of the
tinous outlay of huge the
sums of as well devote a few thoughts to been duped by the Belgians and and ended nowhere, and had no agreed to maintain neutrality, declared, would the Chinese con- Asiatic Bank) was the oficial poses it is worthless. But Russia situation which has recently pushed out with the aid of the outlet to the sea except over the and through their control of the sent to mortgage this line, and Bank in China for the service of or her agent could not openly risen in connection with this dis British, the sum object of the rails of the Peking-Hankow line? Quadruple Financial Groups, the the Americans interested believed the loan during Construction, and seek an outlet into the Yangisze trict. It is well known that the latter was achieved, and the Belgians and their Russian Was it simply to not as feeder four large lending nations had the apecious and logical argu-we now find the suspicions, of without incurring the displeasure American Red Cross Sciety, in"
for the main line? That was the effectively closed the door to ments addiced, port.
and were 1898 openly confirmed, and then ners were blocked in their scheme impression allowed to prevail. any independent loan. Up to prepared to lend the money as Societe, Bolgo d'Etude de Chemins was quietly left at Haichow, and preserve the lives of the millions. to secure control of the through The real answer perhaps may 3 this time, Russia and Japan, soon as the embargo on independe Fer en Chine, is unblushingly ced and surveys made on the line periodically swept away by the of Great Britain, so the terminus is great desire to assist China to found in the fact that the Ages owing to their being borrowing deat loans was raised by the component part of the official
meanwhile works was commen-of people whose homes are was saved, and the ment gave them the fight to British position was secured in construct the extension to bienfu. into the competition to China,
nations, had not actively entered Powers,
Russian Group at the actual itself.
floods in the Hwai River District, When Yuan Shih-kai was pro-moment. This amply proves the How the Yangtsze was Reached.vey and make a report on the beat the South Yangtze region, but
Was there any coincidence in
sent an American engineer to sar- the fact that Eth the lines had except in a small way. But the claimed provisional President of part played in 1898 and discloses Americans have "never
Rvolution with its icon bound the Republic and Tang Shao-yi the real character of the concern to another phase of the situation in the future. forgotten or forgiven the intri- the same destination? gues which made them lose face competent, in the light of later opened the way for their activities. their first acts was to enter into Concession was signed in 1800 in the port was quietly overcome that certain interested Chinese do We must now divort and turn way to prevent such catastrophes monopoly of the Quadruple Group was appointed Premier, one of The Kaifeng Honan Railway to elucidate how the difficulty of with Chine, and which held them events, to argue that both these Russia's opportunity had arrived up to the ridicule of the financial innocent agrements for short I November, 1911, there Group for the amodiste finan-syndicate called the Compagnie for a line from Taingkingpa, on Hwai Rivor district, and rather an agreement with the Quadruple favor of a so-called Belgian Some years ago the concession not want the Americans in the It is now common knowledge word. Those on the inside knew animportant linca followed a well arrived in Peking at a time when cing of the country, giving them Generale de Chemins de Fer et the Grand Canal, to Tangohow, than accept the aid of the Amezi❤ that in due time the situation defined and deep laid. policy for the financial deadlock was jo an exclusive option on all loans, de Tramways en Chine. would be repeated, and they have the control of north-west China fores, a new figure in Chinese This agreement was in the shape French Yellow Book for 1900, River, was granted by the to fost a loan for the proposed
In the French Yellow Book of banking circles, who
at the mouth of the Yangtze on Red Cross, they would prefer attitude China and the other
1900, the French Government resented what was claimed to be 1912, but the firet not of the new Franco-Belgian syndicate, indi vincial concern known as the Belgians, with whom negotiations
rep-of a letter" signed on March 10, however, describes this as B interested parties would assume
frankly states that although the
Central Government to a pro- onnservancy works with the when the shoe became transferred concession for the Taiyuan line dicate. This gentleman M. de to sign a loan for $1,000,000 predominated, and although the only a few miles of poorly con- probably be for $4,000,000, and an independent international sya Government after that date was cating that the French element Kiangen Railway Company and have proceeded. As the loan will to the other foot.
was secured by the Russo-Obinet Vos, who had been promoted with the Belgian Group, headed actual proportions of the shares atructed line had been built out he secured on the land tax of Having now clearly demon-Bank, the construction and opera from the Belgian Consular service by M. de Vos, giving the Kalgen are not given it is fair to assume of Taingkiangpa when the funds the district as well as the reclaim- strated the designs of the Franco- tion of the line had been en-to the head of an exceedingly line as Russo-Belgian combination which trasted to the French Group, in strong financial group. M. de Vos Government knew that the Ameri- similar to the other concession in were exhausted. All work was ed lands, this should give food
security. The Dow that it was at losst half, if not were frustrated in this great the Russo-Chinese Bink, The scheme we can taks up and trace same Book also officially statest Tientsin and afterwards at sum, but they deliberately signed officially only 40 per cent., which capital either from the Govern should take up this loan in a dis- had been Belgian Consul General cane stood ready to advance this which the Belgian interest was tempt was made to secure farther Chinese desire that the Belgiaus
consequently stopped and an at for thought. the other ramifications of the that the Compagnie General de Kobe, and when home on a vaca- the loan and therewith handed included the Russian share.
Why do these general policy of these political Chemins de Fer et de Tramwaye tion be was selected to head the over the Kalgan railway as securi and commercial' allies. Bat en Chine, which had secured the
ment.or by a foreign loan.trict through which their great new "independent" group, before pursuing the matter fur. Kaifeng-Honan Concession, was
ty, forgetful perhaps of the policy ther it may be well to point out in reality s Franco-Belgian Com the Russo-Asiatic Bank (provious- this regard, and ignorant, no Vos, quietly working in Peking agreement with a continental fin-If the interest on an American On January 15, 1913, the trunk lins passes, and which if The group was composed of of the previous Government in bificant coincidence that M. de Railway Company entered into an Russiana a mortgage on the landa? It is a remarkable and sig- representative of the Kiangen effcoted will give the Belgians or that the title of the Franco-pany, and this indicates the pre-ly styled the Russo-Chinese Bank), doubt, of the close connect for the advancement of purely ancial agent for & loan of £1,250;- John should ever be defaulted, Belgien Syndicate who secured dominance of the French capita- the Sino-Belgian Bank, Banquetion of the Belgian with the Belgian interests, though at the 000 for the construction and and it became nrcomary for the the concession for the Peking-sts in the concern. It is a d'Outremer, Soctete Generale de Russians. Hankow line was the Societe significant fact that after the
head of what was afterwarde equipment of a lins from Tong bankers to take possession, the Belgique Societe Belge d'Etude d'Etudos de Chemins de Fer the Russiing hand handed over Eastern-Bank, Limited, J. Henry Chinese had to pay dearly for sion for the extension of the the then Minister of Communi-secure their interest. But if the Taiyuan line was completed, and de Chemins de Fer en Chine, acored, and once again the Group, should secure the concee agreement was countersigned by last resort and is only to So once again the Belgians' admitted as the official Russian how to Tsingkiangpu, The loan Americans would only to: BO BS & Chine, an organisation which, as will appear later, was in reality control to the French section of Sobreeder and Co. and A. Spitzer breach of faith with the agent for Russian political, Waiwapu for the privilege of
the syndicate, that the petition to and Co.
Qua Kaifeng Honan railway on behalf cations, and thua a Government loan for this conservancy work designs on China....
druple Group, and incidentally of the Cis Generale de Obemina It was a significant fact that extending the line to Sianfu, as although the Russo-Asiatic Bank confidence in As pointed out in the com- promised by H. D. Sheng, was had its own branch and capital of their most brilliant diplomatic the company the right to the price in the loan agreement was mortgage aleo on the great world to lose de Fer et de Tramways en Chine. on, without supervision, was were entrusted to the Belgians, granted for the benefit of a pure who are officially a part of the mencement of this article one of made by the Belgian Minister at financial agent in Peking, the official. It it had not been for extension westwards from Honen stipulated at 88, but as the figen trunk line through the heart of the integrity The original concession only gave ly private railway. The issue Russian Group, and who hold the the great dreams of Russia has Peking. Here we again have the leadership in the new group, in vigorous protest of the Powers to Siantu, but we find, in the sial agent had emphatically stated the district, and control a port always been to secure control of most convincing evidence of the which the Bank was included, was which compelled this "Belgian
harmony of interests binding entrusted to a Belgian Consalar loan to be covered by the Reor-not only succeeded in having 90, it was arranged and provided our if it became necessary to actual loan agreement, that he that he could not give more than gear Tungchow, what would oo- the Kalgan Pass, and at the time Russia, Franga, and Eelgium. that France secured the concession Russia's Renewal of Activities. rise to the impression that would now be effectively mort also obtained the right for a fur difference between the real and minister the security?
official. This naturally gave ganisation loan, the Kengan line this extended to Lanohowfu; but for in another plause that the foreclose and take over and ad- for the Yunnan Hine, and At this time, or about four de Vos was in reality a special gaged to Russia under the limey ther subsequently, the French and years ago, Russia's prestige had agent eant to Obina to work in disguise of a Belgian loan.
extension to Suchowfa, fictitious price would be paid back Russian papera-reflecting the declined in China as a result of harmony with the Bank for rail-
while to the eastwards-the-line to the Bankers who might take political sentiments of their the war with Japan, and it was way and other concessions and Russie In the Sextuple Group: the sea at Haichow
was continued from Kaifeng to
Would Ruesía ever recede from governments-devoted consider necessary to entrust her interests Government basiness, which the
up the loan as a lamp sum pay the position? able space to the advisability of to her ally and agent, until she bank itself was prohibited from negotiation of the Reorganisation the map should convince one that vising the construction and Chinese concerned have also been When the time came for the A little reflection and study of ment for their services in super! It begins to look as though the securing the coneession for en- could resume diplomatic nativity undertaking owing to the con- Loan, Russia and Japan demanded this is an essentially Russian to say no reputable, Banker could that they are unconsciously being other trunk line through Western in Peking on her own behalf. vention with Great Britain dean and received admission into the project, and dovetails into the be found who was ready to gaoth, fed to tatray the best interests of
equipment of the line. Needless China, to connect at Kalgan with Russian policy in Aeis never ing the Trans-Mongolian project, to changes; it may be checked at practically north of the Great which then became known as has always been set aside for party to such a palpable attempt have pupposed the Hwai River the Russian sphers as official Quadruple Financial Group Great Trans-Asian linn which fice bis reputation by becoming their country. The Americans hypnoticed by the Belgians, and
then strike south through Tai- times. but Russia. quietly awaits Wail, yuanfu to Sianfu, and thanos to her opportunity and at the right touch a group be organized, with combination arrived at a mutual westwards from Buchowit must to the real leme price, and teto carry it through, as a purely
Otherwise why should the Sextuple Group. The new Russia. As the continuation to deceive the Chinese public an Chengtu and Yunnanfu, where it moment presses forward and the Russian Bank in the leading agreement amongst themselves as necessarily ultimately connect a consequence the lean could not humanitarian measure, for on the would link up with the French regaine her loat ground. Thwart role, and its negotiations be en- to the division of future business with Russia's Central Asiap be negotiated in Europe. face of it there is no profit to Conservancy work, and the loan line to the sea at Haiphong. ed by Japan and Britain in trasted oa Ealgien Consular of in China, and the names of all the system, and constitute a through Such a line was purely for the gaining her ice free port at Dalay, ficial with no previous training as Banke constituting the various trunk line from: Central Asia to. advancement of Russia's strate- she has had to readjust her, posi-a financier? The work of M. de Groups were then set forth in the beart of China and the sea-loun was impossible, and that satisfaction of saving the lives of When it was realized that this thom in such work other than the adical position in China and Cen- tion and policy to the ohangen Vos since he arrived in Peking that document. Int. Rusian ocant, it must have met with the gerve as the terminus of a through to prospority a large district of ral Asia. It would complete a brought about by the war. Russia has, in the mind of critics, fully Bank signed the Inter Group hearty support of Russia, toit on trunk line, according to Chinese Chias, In view of this, and by the port of Haichow could not millions of people and reclaiming trunk line bisecting China to the must have such a port for the confirmed the above surmises. west, away from the coast and development of her great Asiptic After successfully negotiating following parties, known as the Ching to construct the Chinchow reporte, it was quietly arranged virtue of the claims they have to
Agreement acting for the Rusais denied the right of aterference of other Powers Empire, and, as she has none of a few minor financial transactions Russian Group. These names Aigun line nador American finan-to change the terminus of the line the enterprise as a result of the would bring the northwest and her own, abs mest peressarily he was ready for the real work should be carefully noted, as they ciers and British, contractors, as to near Tangohow. The Teing enormous amount of charity they western provinces within the take it by force from her he was undoubtedly sent to do. Russian sphere of influence, and neighbour, which, in this case, is The then Premier was badly in
constituting, a menace to her kiangpu-Tanokow line, controlled have lavished on the district in when the line connecting with China. Urga was completed, would con- again to try conclusions with purposes, and the only available 1912.
As she is not yet ready need of funds for administrative the Far Eastern Review, April, would she not have prevented the pany, was nationalized, and it Americans will secure the *See "Revolution Number of strategical position on the Amor, by the Kiangen Railway Com the past it is quite possible that stitute a through military line for Japan and her formidable ally, neset left to offer as isparity for
was then incorporated as a part work, and that at least oneplan an army of penetration from both he has had to attack the problem the tottering Manchu Government arch 1918, for full text of the the January 1913, issue of the that the Balgions have quietly
Bee Far Eastern Review, 18ee full text of Agreement
of the Lang Tsung U-Hai lino of the Belgians will miscarry. North and South. These line from the Bank and press her was the Knigen railway.
The result of this manoeuvrð 18 ager-Group Agreement,
Far Eastern Review.
Activities in Western China,
the approach to Peking through
caused the
From Russia to the Sea
(20 le Continued To-morrow,Į