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Railway should be constructed as a first-class undertaking within the estimated cost and period upon which the amount of the Loan was based. If accomplished, the success will greatly redound to Chinese credit. On the other hand, should these estimates not be realised, the failure will have a bad effect on Investors who at present are disposed to take great Interest in Chinese Railway enterprise. It is, moreover, of special importance to Chinese credit that no miscarriage should take place because the discredit for any failure will rest with the Chinese Administration.
The information which the Corporation has been able to obtain is causing the Directors great misgiving, and having requested an expression from Sir John Wolfe Barry and Mr. A. J. Barry of their views, these gentlemen have submitted the same in a report, of which a copy is enclosed.
We venture to request that Your Excellency will be pleased to avail themselves of the services of Sir John Wolfe Barry and Mr. A. J. Barry, because we are convinced they can be of great assistance in carrying out the undertaking and that their services are essential.
If the appointment be not made and matters of prime importance are allowed to drift, as appears to be the case, the result can only be, as we have foreshadowed, a great misfortune to all concerned.
We have &c.,
The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited.
per (Signed)
W. Keswick,
Chairman.
be pleased to use your influence to induce the Board of Posts and Communications and the Director General to