6
staff are gradually exhausting their reserve of patience as you know, Mr. Warmington, assistant engineer at Shektan, has already officially tendered his resignation, and it has been hinted to me that Mr. Boothby may do the same, It is impossible for these gentlemen to further bear the strain of attempting to carry out works under the conditions imposed. That they should be faced with these difficulties and dangers was not contemplated under the terms of their agreements. They realise, as I do, that if the works were abandoned entirely, nothing whatever would be done by the Chinese officials, and that it is only by facing these extreme worries and this official incom petence-making amends, in fact, with their own energies and resources for the latter- that any progress can be made.
While I demand patience and tact on the part of our officers (which I invariably obtain), there comes a time, long since reached on No. 2 district, when, owing to the lack of effective support from Chinese officials and their contemptuous indifference to the needs of railway work, the heart becomes broken, and must end in the acceptance by us of the resignation of the officer so treated.
In the case of No. 2 district, should Mr. Boothby, an exceptionally talented and reliable officer, be forced to take this step with his assistant engineers, I can only say that the damage to the reputation of and to the interests of this railway would be incalculable.
I am handing confidentially a copy of this correspondence to the British consul- general here, and shall request him to forward same to the British Minister with his comment thereon.
Will you please acknowledge receipt of this letter.
Inclosure 7 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Fox to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 81. Confidential.)
Sir,
Canton, July 16, 1909. IN continuation of my despatch No. 78 of the 12th instant, I have the honour to transmit copies of correspondence which has passed between the director-general in Peking and the engineer-in-chief, with regard to the difficulties that have recently beset the construction of the Chinese section of the Canton-Kowloon Railway.
I am informed by Mr. Wei Han that, immediately after the interview on the 10th instant, reported in my despatch No. 78, the Viceroy himself sent two urgent telegrams to the Tung Kuan and Tseng Ch'eng magistrates, ordering them to arrest the ring- leaders in the recent disturbances, and inflict exemplary punishment on them.
On the 12th instant the Acting Viceroy received a telegram from the Board of Communications, urging him to afford proper protection to the line.
The district engineers have orders to report to Mr. Grove as soon as the result of the Viceroy's action becomes apparent, and copies of these reports will be forwarded to you in due course.
I have, &c.
HARRY H. FOX.
Yours faithfully,
F. GROVE.
Inclosure 8 in No. 1.
Liong Shin Yi to Mr. F. Grove,
Dear Sir,
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. to Mr. F. Grove.
Hong Kong, July 6, 1909. YOUR letter of the 5th instant was handed to us this morning by Mr. Boothby, from whom we understand that we may expect to receive to-morrow the enclosures therein referred to.
We much regret to learn that, while at Namseh the condition of affairs has taken a better aspect, at Shektan, Yuen Chow, and other places, there is no improvement in conditions, which remain dangerous to the foreign staff and prevent progress of works. It is deplorable that the authority of the Viceroy in relation to railway matters is apparently entirely ignored, and that his Excellency's instructions to the industrial taotal of Canton, which we had hoped would at least be of considerable help, have evidently proved to be unproductive of any good, and we can well understand that your engineers become disheartened in such circumstances.
It is now clear that other and stronger measures must be taken to repress the continued obstruction, and we have therefore telegraphed to the corporation's repre- sentative in Peking as follows :—
Canton-Kowloon Railway. Referring to our letter of the 4th ultimo, there is no improvement in the general state of affairs, danger to foreign staff prevents progress of works, and district engineers threaten to resign unless effective remedial measures are taken without delay. It is very important to inform the British Minister at once of the position. Engineer-in-chief's report will follow by post."
We trust Sir John Jordan will take up the matter vigorously, and be able to make the native officials recognise that progress is impossible under present conditions.
Please let us have three spare copies of your letter under reply with its enclosures,
We are, &c.
JARDINE, MATHESON, AND CO. (Limited).
(Translation.) Dear Sir,
June 26, 1909. I HAVE received from the managing director, his Excellency Wei Han, a copy of the letter you addressed to him, dated the 14th April, 1909, together with a revised estimate on the subject of land.
I understand from this that you do not feel satisfied with regard to the purchase of land, and that you allege that not only has no progress been made, but that no vigorous measures have been taken by his Excellency to expedite the purchase.
As you are in charge of the whole constructional work, you naturally desire to have all the land acquired as soon as possible, but lands acquired by various railways have hitherto been paid for according to their present value, and neither the land-owners can demand more than their value nor can the railway bring official influence to bear upon them. As the construction of a railway is for the benefit and convenience of the people, the use of drastic measures towards the people is therefore impossible. The villagers being so simple, and for the most part so ignorant, I am afraid that the outbreak of disturbances would be attended with still more serious delay.
The object of a railway is for commercial purposes, and upon its completion all the villagers along the line will be its customers. It is evident, therefore, that the more mobilization of soldiers we make to-day, the more resentment will be shown us in the future.
As you are in charge of the whole of the constructional work of the line, you can only use harshness and leniency in equal proportions, and above all you must avoid too stringent measures.
My responsibility with regard to the construction of the line, as director-general, is even greater than yours, and I am consequently fully aware that no cause for the least delay in the acquisition of land should be allowed.
Instructions have already been sent to the managing director to ascertain what lands have not already been bought and to make immediate purchase of them, and in the meantime I am requesting the Viceroy of Canton to issue strict instructions to the local authorities to bring the villagers to their senses, and to give efficient protection to the railway, so that further delay to the constructional work will be avoided."
I therefore request that you will kindly act in accordance with these instructions. Yours faithfully,
LIANG SUIH YI, Director-General.
[2389 cc-6]
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