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281
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Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Acting Consul-General Scott to Sir E. Satow,
(No. 21. Confidential.) Sir,
Canton, March 8, 1902. IN continuation of my despatch of the 22nd ultimo on the subject of the appli- cation by the French Consul for grant of a Concession for a tramway in Hainan, I have now the honour to report that M. Hardouin has recently made renewed and urgent representations upon this subject to the Viceroy. His chief argument in favour of the scheme is the advantage and profit which would accrue to the people of the locality if it were carried out.
The tramway proposed would run from Hoihow to Kiungchow and Peishan, a distance of about 30 li, and from my knowledge of Kiungchow and its port, Hoihow, I am of opinion that such a tramway would be most unlikely to prove a profitable speculation commercially. The Viceroy, in his reply to the latest representations of the French Consul, declares emphatically that the scheme is altogether unprofitable. His Excellency shows, however, some inclination to avoid friction with the French Consul by making at least a show of compromise, for he promises to instruct the Taotai of Hainan to consider the proposal in the light of local conditions, ascertain the opinion of the gentry in the district, and report. His Excellency adds that if the scheme then appears feasible, he will be prepared to refer the matter to the Foreign Office in Peking for their consideration.
It may
be interesting to note how pressing the French authorities are for railway mining, and tramway Concessions in Hainan. The conditions of trade in that island do no warrant such enterprise.
I have, &c. (Signed) JAMES SCOTT.
W