times been suggested by Japan and Russia, we might perhaps use our influence with those Powers to arrange some settlement of the Chinchow-Aigun project, but Mr. Straight, I understand, will have no half measures. According to the Russian Minister here, when M. Isvolsky pointed out to Mr. Straight the difficulty there of would be in carrying the proposed line across the Russian railway, the latter retorted that a tunnel or an overhead railway would serve the purpose. Language like this does not naturally tend to disarm opposition.
The Chinchow-Aigun project has, however, been quiescent for some time past, and the Americans are now engaged in pressing other schemes in which their interests Mr. Calhoun is still somewhat lukewarm are practically identical with our own.
about the Hukuang Railway loan, but he has at least assisted by his presence at an interview for pressing the question upon the attention of the Wai-wu Pu.
In their negotiations for the currency loan of 10,000,000l. the Americans know that they have our cordial sympathy, and except for some isolated and ill-timed incursions of American missionaries into the opium question, there are fortunately no longer any grounds for conflict between American and British policy in China.
I am glad to note a distinct improvement in this respect during the last few months, and it will be my earnest endeavour to do what I can to maintain it, although we must always, I fear, be prepared for our policy in China being viewed with unreasonable suspicion both by China and America. This is one of the penalties which we have to pay for the political advantages which we reap from our alliance with Japan.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
P.S. Since writing the above I have read Mr. Max Müller's despatch No. 388 of the 28th October last, which illustrates, very fully, American political methods in China. The views expressed in that despatch are in entire accord with my own experience.
J. N. J.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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CHINA RAILWAYS.
# 3 FEB II
CONFIDENTIAL.
[September 19.]
SECTION 1.
[33923]
No. 1.
Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 19.) (No. 294.) Sir,
I HAVE the honour to report that on the 23rd August an Imperial decree was
Peking, August 30, 1910. issued cashiering Tang Shou-chien, president of the Chekiang Provincial Railway Company, forbidding him to take any further part in railway affairs.
Tang's downfall is due to his having scut a long telegram to the Grand Council, in which he protested vehemently against Sheng Hsuan-huai being instructed to proceed to take up his post as junior vice-president of the Board of Communications. Sheng was accused by Tang of general mismanagement of railway affairs in the past and of enriching himself at the expense of the public. However, the telegram was so insolent in tone that on the advice of the Grand Council the Prince Regent dismissed T'ang from office,
Tang, as is generally known, has been at the bottom of all the trouble connected with the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway and the failure to observe the terms of the Loan Agreement. It is to be hoped, therefore, that now he has been removed conditions on this railway will be improved, and that the Board of Communications will be encouraged at an early date to take the control of the line into their own hands in the manner suggested in my note to the Wai-wu Pu of the 14th June, forwarded to you in my despatch No. 203 of the 18th June.
So far as can be seen at present the Chekiang gentry are not prepared to meekly acquiesce in T'ang's sudden dismissal, and meetings have been organised at Hangchow to protest against the action of the Government. It is not expected, however, that the agitation on behalf of T'ang will assume serious proportions, and Mr. Liu Yu-lin has informed me that in any case it will not influence the attitude of the central Government.
In official circles the cashiering of Tang Shou-ch'ien meets with general approval, and the hope is expressed that it may be indicative of the future action of the Government in regard to railway construction. It is evident that centralisation of authority is essential to successful railway construction in China and in order to ensure this no recognition should be afforded to provincial railway companies. It is to be hoped that Tang's dismissal is a sign that the Chinese Government are prepared to observe this principle.
I have, &c.
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
[2919 t-1]
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