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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
31 August 1908
SECTION 1.
No. 1.
Canton-Kowloon Railway: Consulting Engineers.—(Communicated by Mr. Addis, August 31.)
Mr. Bland's view of the following Telegram from Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., Hong Kong, August 25, 1908.
"BOARD of Communications are insisting upon that Jeme Tien Yow has been appointed Consulting Engineer, Canton-Kowloon Railway, and state that J. O. P. Bland, the British Minister, and yourselves, have acquiesced appointment. They quote letter of the 16th June from the Chairman to the Chinese Minister in London as your acquiescence. Considerable interference with the Engineer-in-chief is threatened, and Engineer-in-chief appeals to us for redress. Up to now no demand for salary has been made, but we are of opinion if a firm protest against is not very quickly made, this will follow; if you approve we propose officially notifying the Board of Communications that you decline to recognize appointment."
Mr. Bland asserts that no appointment has been agreed to as suggested. He would regard it as a mistake to decline to recognize such an appointment, as he considers the Board of Communications have the right to appoint Consulting Engineers to advise them, but he would decline to recognize the appointment of any Consulting Engineer with authority over the Chief Engineer.
NOTE AS TO THE ABOVE.
From the telegram it would appear that the appointment of Jeme is not that of Consulting Engineer to the Board of Communications, but as an officer of the railway with authority over the Chief Engineer, which is an interference with the authority and responsibility of the Chief Engineer, and an infringement of the Loan Agreement.
The Chief Engineer's duties are defined in Article 6 as follows:
"The duties of the Engineer-in-chief shall consist in the efficient and economical construction and maintenance of the railway, and the general supervision thereof, in consultation with the Managing Director. He shall always give courteous consideration to the wishes and instructions of the Viceroy, whether conveyed directly or through the Managing Director, and shall always comply therewith, having at the same time due regard to the efficient construction and maintenance of the railway."
It is understood that the Viceroy has been superseded by a Director-General, appointed under Article 1:
"It is understood that the Chinese Government may hereafter, in its discretion, appoint a Director-General of the railway, upon whom, in such case, will devolve all the powers, functions, and responsibility, herein attributed to the Viceroy of Canton (hereinafter called the Viceroy).”
But as will be seen, the Director-General's functions and authority are no more than those of the Viceroy.
Li Ching Fong to the British and Chinese Corporation.
Chinese Legation, 49, Portland Place, June 10, 1908. I promptly forwarded a copy and translation of your letter of the 5th March last, regarding the appointment of Consulting Engineer to the Canton-Kowloon Railway and the position of Mr. A. J. Barry, and also copy and translation of a letter
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