Page 406
His Majesty's Government are willing to forgo any claim to a general indemnity in respect of the events of December 1905, but they are entitled to expect that compensation to bona fide sufferers for the actual losses incurred should be paid without further delay, and that the officials against whom a serious neglect of duty can be proved should be adequately punished.
Foreign Office, November 29, 1906.
Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
F. A. C.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
391
No. 1.
C.O.
146853
CONFIDENTIAL
[December
20 DEC 06
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 1.)
No. 408.
Peking, October 12, 1906.
With reference to my despatch No. 401 of the 4th October, respecting the Soochow-Shanghai-Ningpo Railway, I have the honour to report that in his Intelligence Report for the September quarter Mr. Acting Consul Smith at Hangchow states that no progress has yet been made with the building of the rival Chinese line. Various surveys have been made, but the track to be followed has not yet been made public, and it is probable that no decision has yet been arrived at in regard to it. The delay in beginning work is commonly stated to be due to lack of funds, and though the Company claim to have 1,000,000 dollars, local gossip credits them with far less. At present the only visible sign of activity is the working of a stone quarry at Chiang Kan, a notice outside of which states that it is being worked for the railway.
Requests for the purchase of land for railway purposes have been issued, and a large number of persons are employed in the railway office who draw pay but apparently do nothing.
There is some dissatisfaction at the delay in beginning work, but it is not acute, as shareholders are promised 7 per cent. interest by the prospectus on all money invested from the date of payment to the Company.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN,
[2203 a-1]
Page 408