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representing commercial shares, and an deficit still outstanding could be met by calling for share subscriptions. Should there still be a deficit, it would be quite easy to raise a further loan from British financiers on the security of the earnings of the line itself. The adoption of the above proposals would, by ensuring abundance of loan capital, accelerate the completion of the work. After, when the line was finished, the advantages of it would be felt by the Hupei public, the mercantile community would reap the benefit and it would be a feather in Viceroy Chien's cap. It is indeed a perfect scheme.
Since I have been honoured with the Imperial appointment to devise a complete scheme for the three provinces, after mature consideration and my familiarity with Hupei's position assure me that only thus can Hupei's people be blessed and her difficulties relieved. I have bestowed special pains in drawing up this detailed report, and I sincerely and earnestly hope that His Excellency Viceroy Chien, and all the officials in the various Departments and Bureaux, as well as the leading gentlemen in the province of Hupei, will thoroughly debate the scheme, and that His Excellency will favour me with the result of their deliberations promptly by telegraph.
If this line is to be subject to the management of the Board of Communications, Hupei will only get the construction of the one money-losing line from Ichang to Yochow, and the resulting gross injustice to Hupei in the loss of a certain profit and the deprivation of an opportunity for prosperous expansion is diametrically opposed to my own wishes.
The difficulties in connection with the line in the two provinces of Hunan and Hupeh are endless. The Board has passed them on to me, but my trifling talents are...