This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[13746]
No. 1.
804
6
Par ! JUL 08
[April 21.]
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 21.)
(No. 84.) (Telegraphic.) P.
CANTON-KOWLOON Railway.
Peking, April 21, 1908.
During my stay in Canton I took the opportunity of discussing with the Engineer-in-chief the question of the appointment of a consulting engineer, as desired in your telegram No. 68 of the 10th instant. He did not seem to consider that the services of such an engineer were absolutely indispensable, though he allowed that they would be very desirable.
I gather that the Chinese refuse to intrust the work in general to any particular firm, but are not disinclined to avail themselves of the services of a consulting engineer as regards the plans for the bridge over the East River.
A capable British engineer, Mr. Moore, whose services the Chinese propose to engage for the Chekiang Railway, makes the express stipulation in his case that there shall be no consulting engineer appointed, and the excellent experience that the Chinese have had of that gentleman may perhaps justify them in founding their action in the present case on Mr. Moore's attitude.
Mr. Bland is expected to return to Peking in the course of the next few days, and I shall take an early opportunity of discussing the question with him.
[2934 a-1]