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opened from Tsingtao to Tsinan-fu, a distance of some 252 miles,
the first through train having made the trip on the 15th ultimo.
With this accomplished fact before them the colonists of Hongkong
may be excused for wondering why the British concessionaires lag
so woefully in the race with foreign enterprise. My committee hope,
however, now that the attention of the public and of the
Government has alike been fully aroused to the grievous delay in
carrying out an undertaking of such moment to Hongkong and to
British trade, it will be commenced without further loss of valuable
time. They also trust that the British Government will see their
way to give some assistance by subsidising that portion of the line
which will run through British territory. This subject, I may add,
is of such first importance to this Colony that it can never again
be allowed to slumber.
I am, dear sir,
Yours faithfully,
(signed) R. Chatterton Wilcox
Chairman.