CO 41443
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
))
[44416]
No. 1.
24F
[December 6.]
346
SECTION 2.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 6.)
(No. 412.) Sir,
Peking, November 12, 1909. WITH reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the Hu-Kuang Railway loan, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Hankow respecting a visit recently paid to the province by delegates sent by the Chinese Students' Association in Japan to protest against a foreign loan being raised for the construction of these railways.
The reports appearing in the native press, as exemplified in the condensed translation enclosed in Mr. Fraser's despatch, are interesting only in so far as they illustrate the ill-informed and unreasonable attitude which is being adopted in such matters all over China, and which renders it increasingly difficult for the central Government to effect improvements on rational lines.
I bave, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul-General Fraser to Sir J. Jordan.
!
(No. 61.) Sir,
Hankow, November 6, 1909.
I HAVE the honour to forward the gist of a report in the local native papers of the welcome and support accorded by the Provincial Council to the two delegates sent by the Chinese Students' Association in Japan to protest against any foreign loan for railway purposes in the Hu-Kuang provinces.
The native papers also publish a violent letter sent by the delegates to the Board of Communication's deputy to examine railways, Mr. Liu, who evaded their visits at Shanghae. Great stress is laid on the alleged pledging in the draft loan agreement of the railways themselves, as well as the making of the l-kin and salt tax collateral security.
The "Kung Lun Hsin Pao" points out that the failure of the Hupei subscribers to put up the money they promised during last year's agitation left his late Excellency Chang no option but to raise a loan, and that the present clamour against borrowing is senseless, unless the provincials actually provide the capital required for the lines themselves.
I have, &c.
E. H. FRASER.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Précis of Article in the “Political Review" of November 5, 1909.
Special General Meeting of the Provincial Council to welcome the Railway Delegates.
(Translation.)
ON the 2nd November the Council, at 8 P.M., in its special meeting place, welcomed Messrs. Chang and Hsia, the student delegates from the body of students in Japan, to secure the commercial management of the lines to Canton and Szechuan. All being assembled, and the delegates received by the members standing, the President Wu explained the object of the meeting, and called on the delegates to speak.
Mr. Chang, in a vigorous and touching speech of forty-five minutes, dilated on the
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