3.0 31859
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[33422]
No. 1.
So 25 SEP 09
[September 6.]
489
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey. (Received September 6.)
(No. 293.) Sir,
Peking, August 17, 1909. REFERRING to my despatch No. 256 of the 15th July last, I have the honour to enclose a translation of two decrees in which punishment is meted out to the officials guilty of mismanagement of the northern section of the Tien-tsin--Pukow Railway,
The chief culprit, Li Te-shun, is cashiered, never to be employed again, while the late Viceroy, Yang Shih-hsiang, loses his brevet rank of junior guardian to the heir- apparent. In some quarters the opinion is expressed that Li Te-shun was only a scapegoat for the financial misdeeds of Yang Shih-hsiang. Lu Hai-huan, the director-general of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway, has, according to a later decree, been degraded two steps in rank, but is allowed to retain his post as commissioner for treaty revision.
The exposure of the corruption existing in the administration of the northern section of the railway cannot be regarded otherwise than a set-back to German influence in North China, even though no Germans can be proved to have been directly involved in the questionable transactions which have taken place. When, therefore, the slow progress made by the southern section, under a British engineer- in-chief, is contrasted with the celerity with which work has been pushed forward on the northern or German section, we can console ourselves with the thought that there have been no such scandals in connection with the construction of our section as those recently exposed on the northern section.
I regret that I have not been able to obtain a copy of the memorial to the Throne impeaching the guilty officials.
I have, &c.
(For the Minister),
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Imperial Decrees.
(1.)
(Translation.)
WITH reference to a memorial submitted by Supervising Censor Kao Jun-Sheng, impeaching Lu Hai-huan, director-general of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway, for nepotism and mismanagement of the line, we commanded Na-tung to examine into the matter carefully, and he has now reported to us upon the same.
Expectant Taotai Li Teh-shun, has, by seeking his selfish ends, disregarded public welfare and incurred popular resentiment; expectant Taotai Chang Yi is a disgrace to official dignity by his flattery and fawning behaviour; and both are commanded to be cashiered, and never again employed in Government service. Expectant Taotai Tsao Chia-hsiang is guilty of obtaining profits by cultivating friendship with the authorities, and is hereby casbiered. Magistrate Yung Chi is to be cashiered for ever, and to be sent to work on the military post road, for his bribery and oppression. Expectant Taotai Chien Hsi-lin attempted to escape justice, and under investigation has been found to be avaricious and improper in conduct. He is to be cashiered, and returned to his native place and placed under official surveillance. The merchants, Kao Hsi-chiu and Li Cho-chi, are found guilty of bribery and intrigue, and are commanded to be sent in custody to their homes. They shall not be permitted in future to contract for any work on the railway.
Lu Hai-huan, through being the director-general, neither took precaution before,
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