The gentry concerned are of established local repute and put forward by the general body: they were earnest in fulfilment of the duties they come forward to undertake nor did they draw any pay. Where did the "ingratiating" come in?
The company's office was set up in Hunan, its personnel chosen there, its rules proposed there; how could there be said to be an absence of actual control? At the time the redemption of the line was uncertain, how could one at once scheme to build it with borrowed money? To borrow or not was left to the public feeling of the three provinces, how could it shut peoples' mouths? Moreover in case Hunan could provide funds, there would be no need of borrowing. How could calling on the gentry to provide funds be twisted into an underlying purpose to borrow?
This sort of profound writing and turns of expression is indeed beyond the power of thought to explain!
Page 4
The original memorial also states:-
"The Wai Wu Pu telegraphed to the Hukuang Viceroy its refusal of foreign loans. He however said the 'Hunan gentry also advocated building the line on borrowed money'. Now if the Hunan gentry really held this view, why to begin with did they strongly urge the cancelling of the concession? Even if there were unworthy Hunan gentry, they were probably only roving members holding Hupei offices who wanted to meet the Viceroy's wishes as a means of reaping profit and had no regard for the ruin of the general interest, while the Viceroy rashly took the lies of his subordinates for gospel".
Page 571
2016
-> revised to2016
Page 571
The gentry concerned are of established local repute and put forward by the general body: they were earnest in fulfilment of the duties they come forward to undertake nor did they draw any pay. Where did the "ingratiating" come in?
The company's office was set up in Hunan, its personnel chosen there, its rules proposed there; how could there be said to be an absence of actual control? At the time the redemption of the line was uncertain, how could one at once scheme to build it with borrowed money? To borrow or not was left to the public feeling of the three provinces, how could it shut peoples' mouths? Moreover in case Hunan could provide funds, there would be no need of borrowing. How could calling on the gentry to provide funds be twisted into an underlying purpose to borrow?
This sort of profound writing and turns of expression is indeed beyond the power of thought to explain!
Page 4
The original memorial also states:-
"The Wai Wu Pu telegraphed to the Hukuang Viceroy its refusal of foreign loans. He however said the 'Hunan gentry also advocated building the line on borrowed money'. Now if the Hunan gentry really held this view, why to begin with did they strongly urge the cancelling of the concession? Even if there were unworthy Hunan gentry, they were probably only roving members holding Hupei offices who wanted to meet the Viceroy's wishes as a means of reaping profit and had no regard for the ruin of the general interest, while the Viceroy rashly took the lies of his subordinates for gospel".
2016
Page 571