D
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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[13554]
No. 1.
153
0.
18314
¡Rece
IRS 24 MAY 07 [April 2
SECTION 2.
(No. 3.) Sir,
Consul-General Wilkinson to Sir Edward Grey,-(Received April 27.)
I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a despatch which I have addressed to the
Yunnan-fu, March 8, 1907. Government of Burma, on a proposal to establish at Yunnan-fu a Technical College for the training of young Chinamen as railway engineers.
I have, &c. (Signed) W. H. WILKINSON,
Inclosure in No. 1.
Sir,
Consul-General Wilkinson to Government of Burma.
Yunnan-fu, March 7, 1907.
I LEARN that it is proposed to establish at Yunnan-fu a Technical Institute, mainly for the purpose of training Chinese youths to become railway engineers, and that Dr. Georges Barbezieux has been approached with a view to ascertain his willingness to accept the post of Director. The salary suggested is 800 dollars a-month, with quarters, and the Director would nominate and control absolutely his European staff.
The proposition, originally considered by the Yunnan Government, was to send ten young Chinamen to Europe, by preference to Belgium, to go through a five-year course of study in civil engineering. Dr. Barbezieux pointed out that this measure would cost over 200,000 taels, and would probably provide in the end only two or three engineers fitted for railway work. If a school were established in Yünnau, not only would the annual cost to the Provincial Government be very considerably reduced, but the out-turn would be far greater. It seems certain that the present suggestion, that Dr. Barbezieux should act as Director, is the result of this advice.
No definite arrangements have been made so far, but I think it very likely that a formal offer will be made shortly to Dr. Barbezieux by the Provincial Government of a contract for five years on the terms mentioned above. I believe that the Construction Society of the French railway would view the new departure with disfavour, since it night conceivably stand in the way of projects for branch lines. As far as British interests are concerned, however, I do not see any reason for opposing the scheme, always provided that it is understood that our right to absolute equality with the French in the matter of railway construction in Yunnan is not impugned. The project, though based on the advice of one who happens to be French, is not a French project, and I feel certain that Dr. Barbezieux would not use his influence to our detriment.
I have, &c.
W. H. WILKINSON.
(Signed)
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