2
Chapter XII, sections 118--120.
Chapter XIII, sections 122, 123, 133, 134, and 139. Chapter XIV, section 140.
Chapter XV, sections 147-157.
Chapter XVI, sections 158-162.
Chapter XVII, sections 163–165.
I regret that I have not received any copies of the drawings referred to in section 8.
The considered opinion of three such eminent engineers as those who sign this report ought to go far to convince all impartial readers as to the wisdom of the scheme that has been adopted under the direction of M. de Rijke to improve the deep-water approach to Shanghai. There has, as you are aware, always been a considerable amount of criticism of M. de Rijke's scheme and, as the work was proving far more costly than was originally anticipated, it was clearly of the greatest utility to have this independent judgment thereon before a final decision was reached in regard to additional funds for carring through that portion of the conservancy scheme which still remained untouched. The consulting engineers fully endorse the judgment contained in the enclosed note from the Wai-wu Pu as to the excellence of the work executed by M. de Rijke and, after carefully considering the various criticisms of that gentleman's scheme, they are able to state as their deliberate opinion that that scheme as carried out is the best that could have been adopted and that there is every probability of its being permanently successful. In regard to the rival channels for selection as the permanent fairway, they are of opinion that "the right course was adopted in the decision to improve and develop the Junk Channel" and they clearly explain the grounds on which they have arrived at that conclusion.
In Chapter IX, after giving some figures proving the satisfactory results already achieved in the improvement of the navigable channel, the consulting engineers mention the names of various persons interested in the shipping and general trade of the river whom their delegates, Messrs. Wilson and Matthews, interviewed in Shanghai, including the local agents of the North German Lloyd and Hamburg- Amerika Shipping Company and Captain Schellhoss, the technical attaché to the German consulate-general. These gentlemen were practically unanimous, the report says, in their approval of the works already effected by M. de Rijke and in the hope that the works in progress would be completed.
Finally, in section 139, we read that the results produced by the works already executed appear on the whole to be of an entirely successful character.
When, however, we turn to the chapter dealing with the further works included in M. de Rijke's scheme, but not yet commenced, we find that the consulting engineers are no longer in complete accord with M. de Rijke, though they are at evident pains not to hurt his feelings unduly.
It will be remembered that in April of last year M. de Rijke put forward a detailed estimate for the completion of the conservancy work involving an expenditure of something like 9,000,000 dollars over and above the sum already allocated by the Chinese Government. This scheme naturally met with considerable criticism and was rejected by the Chinese Government when presented to them by the diplomatic body. M. de Rijke, however, as will have been seen from his memorandum, which I had the honour to enclose in my despatch No. 225 of the 13th July, never modified his opinion as to the necessity of carrying out his scheme in its entirety. In Chapters VIII and XV the consulting engineers first describe the various further works included in M. de Rijke's scheme and then proceed to discuss the question of their urgency or necessity.
The only works which they describe as essential and urgent are (1) the final closing of the old Ship Channel; and (2) the completion of the present dredging contract of 1,200,000 cubic yards. These two works are, I presume, completed by this time, or anyhow will shortly be so, as should also the construction of the jetty at Woosung.
Under the heading of works of importance, for the construction of some of which at all events, the necessary funds should be provided as early as possible, they mention the whole of the training works proposed by M. de Rijke on both sides of the river between the upper end of the Astræa (Junk) Channel and Cosmopolitan Dock, and the training works on the right bank of the river below Pheasant Point opposite Woosung. But even as to these latter works the consulting engineers state that they
3
are not convinced of their desirability or necessity, which future experience alone can prove, and they condemn the proposed dredging on the convex side of Pheasant Point as unnecessary and unlikely to have any permanent result.
Under a third heading the report mentions the works which for the present need not be proceeded with, though ultimately some of them will be required. These works include the dredging opposite Cosmopolitan Dock, the cutting back and dredging at Pootung Point, and the dredging near the native city. The total of the dredging work proposed by M. de Rijke, but not commenced, amounts to about 7,500,000 cubic yards, and it appears from the present report as if the major part, if not the whole, of this costly work could be spared
In Chapter XIV the consulting engineers deal with the paramount importance of providing for the careful maintenance of the new works. On this point I shall have the honour to address you further, when I have received the minutes of the meeting of the diplomatic body of the 1st instant, at which were discussed the steps to be taken in order to convince the Chinese Government of the urgency of continuing the conservancy work on the lines laid down without any interruption; the question of the provision of funds for upkeep and for any new work that might be found necessary, and finally, the possibility of a conservancy board on the lines of the Haiho Conservancy Board at Tien-tsin.
I have, &c.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
Wai-wu Pu to M. de Kuczynski,
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
du
Pékin, le 15 juillet, 1910. (Traduction.)
propos A LA date du 3 janvier, 1910, votre Excellence a bien voulu m'écrire à Whangpoo Conservancy. Mon département avait alors reçu un décret Impérial chargeant le Gouverneur du Kiang-Sou de se rendre à Shanghai pour examiner la question. Comme à ce moment le rapport au Trône de ce haut fonctionnaire n'était pas encore parvenu à Pékin, je n'étais pas en mesure de vous donner une réponse immédiate.
Actuellement vous voulez bien me faire savoir que les représentants des Puis- sances à Pékin sont désireux d'être mis au courant de ce que le Gouverneur du Kiang-Sou a rapporté au Trône, et vous me demandez de vous donner à ce sujet des informations détaillées.
Le Gouverneur du Kiang-Sou a fait savoir qu'il s'est rendu en personne à Shanghai sur le champ des travaux, et que, accompagné du Taotaï des Douanes de Shanghai ainsi que d'un ingénieur spécialement engagé pour l'inspection, il a examiné Les travaux sont solidement et convenablement exécutés. en détail ce qui a été fait. Depuis l'accord spécial conclu au sujet du Whangpoo Conservancy, le prix des travaux avait été évalué à 9,200,000 Haik wan taels, cette somme comprenant Il avait été stipulé à l'origine l'intérêt de l'emprunt et les frais d'entretien.
Dans le contrat conclu par la suite avec qu'elle serait répartie en vingt annuités. l'ingénieur en chef, de Rijke, on fixa un terme de quatre ans pour l'achèvement des travaux, et on décida en conséquence que les sommes nécessaires pour lesdits travaux Les plans et le contrat furent alors scraient intégralement versées en quatre ans. sanctionnés par le corps consulaire et les travaux commencèrent.
Rien, donc, n'a été omis dans l'ensemble des travaux à exécuter; leur coût total a été, après évaluation, arrêté à la somme ci-dessus, les fonds ont également versés Il y chaque année. Actuellement huit à neuf dixièmes des travaux sont terminés.
a quelque temps au groupe de fonctionnaires et de marchands de toutes nationalités sont allés les visiter à bord d'un vapeur, et n'ont pas tari d'éloges. L'ingénieur spécialement engagé les a également examinés et les a déclarés très satisfaisants. Ceci pour les excellents résultats qui ont été obtenus.
Il reste encore à exécuter un ou deux dixièmes de l'ensemble; le Taotaï et le Commissaire des Douanes ont mission de veiller à ce que les travaux qui restent à exécuter soient rapidement poussés.
Quand la somme prévue aura été complètement versée, quand les travaux seront complètement achevés, la Chine aura rempli toutes les obligations qu'elle avait L'ancien chenal doit être contractées par l'accord spécial. Tout sera donc terminé,
bouché, afin d'empêcher l'apport de vase et de sable et de protéger les travaux exécutés
395