73
satisfactory assurances.
I next asked what truth there was in the report that the Americans were going to construct a line from Canton to Whampoa. His Excellency replied that such a report was quite erroneous, that the line was to be built by the Chinese themselves under the direction of Ch'ang, member of the Board of Commerce stationed at Canton, and that the rumour I referred to had probably arisen from the fact that an American engineer had been engaged to survey the country. I said that I had heard that the American concessionaires of the Hankow-Canton line claimed, under their Agreement, the right to connect their railway with a deep-water port. Mr. Wen, however, absolutely denied this and said that he knew the Agreement well. All they might claim was the right to prolong the existing branch line to Samshui or to Wuchow.
As Mr. Wen is head of the railway department here, he speaks with authority.
Before bidding His Excellency farewell, I said I was glad to hear what excellent relations existed between Mr. Scott and the Chinese Authorities. There was, however, one exception, the Magistrate at Hsuntak, who was most dilatory in performing his duties. I asked Mr. Scott to explain matters himself to the Viceroy and the nature of the cases which required settlement. Mr. Scott having done this, the Viceroy promised to make an enquiry. I then took leave of His Excellency, who said he would return my call the same day in the afternoon. The interview lasted about an hour and a half.
At three o'clock, Viceroy T'ien appeared at His Majesty's Consulate General, accompanied by the same officials whom I had seen in the morning. He appeared to be in an excellent humour and carried on a brisk conversation throughout the interview, which lasted upwards of an hour. He asked me to convey to Sir Matthew Nathan his thanks for the kind messages he had sent. He said he would be delighted to welcome His Excellency to Canton whenever he liked to come, but begged that due notice should be given of his visit so that a suitable reception might be accorded.
73
satisfactory assurances.
I next asked what truth there was in the report
that the Americans were going to construct a line
from Canton to Whampoa. His Excellency replied that
such a report was quite erroneous, that the line was
to be built by the Chinese themselves under the direc-
tion of Ch'ang, member of the Board of Commerce sta-
tioned at Canton, and that the rumour I referred to
had probably arisen from the fact that an American
engineer had been engaged to survey the country. I
said that I had heard that the American concession-
aires of the Hankow-Canton line claimed, under their
Agreement, the right to connect their railway with a
deep-water port. Mr. Wen, however, absolutely denied
this and said that he knew the Agreement well. A11
they might claim was the right to prolong the exist-
ing branch line to Samshui on to Wuchow.
As Mr. Wen
is head of the railway department here, he speaks with
authority.
Before bidding His Excellency farewell I said I
was glad to hear what excellent relations existed be-
between Mr. Scott and the Chinese Authorities.
There
was, however, one exception, the Magistrate at Hsun-
tak, who was most dilatory in performing his duties.
I asked Mr. Scott to explain matters himself to the
Viceroy and the nature of the cases which required
settlement. Mr. Scott having done this the Viceroy
promised to make an enquiry. I then took leave of
His Excellency, who said he would return my call the
same day in the afternoon. The interview lasted
about an hour and a half.
At three o'clock Viceroy Teen appeared at His
Majesty's Consulate General, accompanied by the same
officials whom I had seen in the morning. He ap-
peared to be in an excellent humour and carried on a
brisk conversation throughout the interview which
lasted upwards of an hour. He asked me to convey
to Sir Matthew Nathan his thanks for the kind mes-
sages he had sent. He said he would be delighted to
welcome His Excellency to Canton whenever he liked
to come, but begged that due notice should be given
of his visit so that a suitable reception might be
tween
accorded
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