802
Cora!
1RESA
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TOMIAH
509
Liang's objection, added Liang, was really that Hoore was appointed by Viceroy Chao on his own motion.
Liang was strong on the advisability of the Government making all railways, and commended Chang's idea of raising a British loan for Hunan (the enclosed cutting shows that there will be local opposition), and ignoring the gentry, whose subscriptions would barely suffice, he thought, for the short section they have made such a fuss about.
He went on to say that Chang heard from Hillier that there could be no fresh loan for at least six months, but seemed to pin his hopes on getting better terms from Bland.
There had been a suggestion to include Chang's projected loan in the one signed on the 8th, but jealousy of the Board of Communications led Chang to scout the suggestion.
Possibly His Excellency's latest scheme, as told to Liang just before he left Peking to borrow three million pounds for Hupei as well as two million pounds for Hunan, may also have had something to do with its rejection.
We would, Liang added, get better terms than that loan's, owing to the 1905 engagements - a view that scarcely allows for the effect of Hanyang and Tongshan works' capacities in the way of supplying rails and rolling-stock.
Liang
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