(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
0.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[43321]
No. 1.
96
2497
[December 12.]
21JA
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SECTION 5.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 12.)
(No. 475. Confidential.) Sir,
Peking, October 25, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your information, and with special reference to my despatch No. 457 of the 14th instant, copies of further correspondence with His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow on Hunan and Hupei railways.
I learn by a telegram of the 22nd instant from Mr. Fraser that the Grand Secretary, Chang Chih-tung, telegraphed a warning that the Canton-Hankow Railway Loan should not be discussed with any one except himself, and inquiring the exact date of Mr. Bland's arrival in Peking.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(No. 65.) Sir,
Consul-General Fraser to Sir J. Jordan.
Hankow, October 10, 1908. IN continuation of my despatch No. 62 of the 7th instant, I have the honour to forward copies and translations of two telegrams from his Excellency Chang Chih-Tung to the Viceroy Chiên on the subject of Hupei railways.
These documents were published in a local native newspaper, and of their authenticity I have no doubt.
His Excellency poses as the champion of Hupei's rights against the designs of the Board of Communications, and takes it for granted that British financiers will readily lend money for his railway projects, including a line from Hsiang-Yang to Kuang-Shui, which formerly he told me could not be allowed, lest its continuation to P'u-K'ou should divert the trade of the north-west from Hankow.
Mr. Moore tells me that Manager Wang of the Wu-Yo* line directs him to push on first the buying of land and amendment of the trace, with the plans for the terminus opposite this office, and the line round' Wuchang to it, and then the estimates for bridges and other work. He hints that, after all, construction will not officially begin till there is a formal cutting of the first sod. He is also to draw up a Memorandum on the comparative cost and advantages of crossing the river by a bridge and by a tunnel.
I have, &c.
(Signed) E. H. FRASER.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Extract from the "Kung Lun Hsin Pao" of October 9, 1908.
Telegram from the Grand Secretary Chang to the Viceroy and Officials.
(Translation.)
September 18, 1908. THE section of the Szechuan-Haukow Railway lying within upei is a source of the utmost profit to the province, and it is essential that the work of construction should be pushed forward independently of Peking forthwith.
[2065 m-
* From Wuchang to Yochow, open port in Hunan. -5].
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