30324 to 25888 RECE Red 17 AUG 06 JUL 30 1900 Memorial by Viceroy Chang Chih-tung in reply to attack of the censor Huang Ch'ang-nien on his loan for resumption of Hankow-Canton Railway Concession.
Condensed Translation.
553 The Grand Council forwarded following Decree of 24th November 1905:-
The censor Huang Ch'ang-nien represents that, railway rights being most important and the redemption charges hard to meet, it is essential to start building and strictly to keep out interference.
The abuses flowing from loans to build railways are so many that the three provinces should subscribe shares to start building so as to maintain our rights: they should not be allowed to raise a foreign loan. The five points in the censor's memorial let Chang Chih-tung report the facts etc.
The memorialist is filled with admiration and awe on humbly perusing the above proof of Their Majesties' care for railway administration and precaution against abuses arising.
On receiving the Rescript charging him with the recovery of the Canton-Hankow railway, he proposed to the American China Development Co. to cancel their agreement. He was very well aware that the Company was in a very strong position and had excellent means of information while its having many supporters amongst the Chinese official body made procedure difficult.
But he felt that as the control of railway rights by others...