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Sub-Evelosun to Enclosure to dispatch 8/27.4.06.
CANTON-HANKOWĮ RAILWAY,
Belgium Engineers in Favour.
(From Our Correspondent.)
Canton, July 24.
For months past, those charged with the construction of the Canton-Hankow Rail- way have been busily engaged in deciding se to the employment of engineers.
. It has been proposed to ask Jeme Tin You to return, but Viceroy Yuan Shi Kai could not spare him. Thenfit was suggested to get hold of one named Kwong, who bad returned from America, but his presence was needed in the construction of other lines.
The Directors seemed in a fix as to what to do, and in view of the fact that France is pushing forward the line from Yunnan, and that Great Britain is rapidly construct- ing the Canton-Kowloon line, they appeared to have been roused to move. As it was considered that work should begin at once it has been decided to engage Belgian engineers.
On the second day of this moon, the Director-General sent & wire to Cheng Kung Pao as follows:
"To Sheng Kung Pao,
"I hare repeatedly declined the director- ship, but my refusal was not accepted. I have now promised to act for one year. Please advise amount of salary, personal character, eto, of the engineers employed in the Lu Han Railway. It has been suggested to employ them in the Canton-Hankow Railway. We would like to know if there would be any harm in engaging them. Please give us your advice and mail us a copy of the regulations of the La Han Railway-(Signed) Chang Kun Ying."
The next day, a reply from Sheng Kung Pao, addressed to Viceroy Shum Chon Hsen was received, recommending a Belgian engineer, Viceroy Shum being at Whampoa, the telegram was transmitted to Tostai Wen for delivery to the Railway Directors.
The same day, the following message was despatched to Whampoa by the Rail- way Company.
To His Excellency Shum Kung Pao,
Whampos,
"Your telegram has been received. If Jeme and Kwong are unable to come, the engineer recommended by Sheng should be engaged. Please enquire as to the amount of salary. Yesterday, we decided to appoint Wu to act as second engineer- in-chief and have requested Toatai Won to inform you of this personally.-(Signed) Chang Kun Ying."
Sheng Kung Pao means Shen Hauan Wei-Kung Pao being a title. Shum Kung Pao is, of course, the Viceroy.