488
I thought a courteous and punctilious nation like the Chinese should be able thoroughly to understand our feeling in such a matter. Mr. Kwong said he quite appreciated the situation. The undertaking being a purely commercial one, the Company had thought that a considerable saving would be effected by securing the services of the engineer who, three years ago, had made the original survey of the line, an American named Ashmead. The negotiations had, however, fallen through, and at present they were committed to [? no] one. He expressed very great admira- tion for Mr. Kinder, under whom he had worked for many years, and for the work he had done. Had he been available for the post he would have been appointed at once, but, unfortunately, he was not. The choice of a suitable engineer was a very difficult one. High professional ability is, of course, necessary, but what is specially required is adaptability, tact, and good temper in dealing with natives. It is also essential that the applicant should be in good health to stand a trying climate, and of an age to be prepared, if necessary, to rough it to a certain extent. Some experience in the Far East is also desirable, and the Directors were very much afraid of engaging any man who would, directly any difficulty arose, seek Consular intervention, and so bring on international broils.
I then broached the question of the appointment of Mr. Smyth mentioned in your letter of the 25th instant. Mr. Kwong enquired if Mr. Smyth possessed the qualifi- cations he had enumerated. To this I could only reply that he was strongly recom- mended by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, who would certainly not recommend an unsuitable person, and unless his references, when they arrived, were satisfactory, Your Excellency would not urge his appointment. He said that he was in favour of employing an Englishman as assistant chief engineer, and that he had written to He would Mr. Kinder and others to see if they could recommend a suitable man. lay what I said before the Directors and full consideration would be given to any testimonials which might be put in on behalf of Mr. Smyth, but at present, obviously, he could not commit himself.
I was, on the whole, very favourably impressed by Mr. Kwong, and am inclined to think that he would, if it is in his power, favour the appointment of a British assistant chief engineer. There seems a good deal of sense in his ideas as to the necessary qualifications, and perhaps certificates could be forthcoming on the points mentioned. I shall do my best to urge his appointment on hearing further from
you.
I should like to mention that in the course of our conversation Mr. Kwong expressed his surprise that, with the exception of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, no British firms had sent in price lists of railway rolling stock, locomotives, timber, sleepers, &c., &c. German and American firms, on the contrary, had been
active in this direction.
His Excellency
Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G.,
&c., &c., &c.,
I have, &c.,
R. W. MANSFIELD,
Consul-General.
489
ABSTRACT from the "CHUNG NGOI SAN PO of October 19, 1908.
(Translation.)
TELEGRAM sent by the Canton Railway Company for Assistant Engineers.
To WONG, Minister at London.
To LEUNG, Minister at New York.
Taotai Kwong Shun-mau has been appointed chief engineer of the Kwongtung Railways, but an assistant engineer is wanted. Please find, in England or America, a well-known, experienced, and good-tempered engineer, who must possess a diploma granted by a University. Please telegraph salary the engineer requires for our consideration.-Taotai and Chief Director of the Canton-Hankow Railway in Kwongtung.
EXTRACT from the "TUNG FONG Po" of the 23rd October, 1906. American Engineer again Employed to Construct the Canton-Hankow Railway.
(Translation.)
Cheng Kun-ying, the illegally elected chief director of the Canton-Hankow Railway, telegraphed at the end of last moon to Ministers Wong Tai-sit, in Great Britain, and Leung Shing, in the United States of America, requesting them to find an assistant engineer to help the chief engineer in his work. Minister Leung has sent the following telegram in reply:- Found a suitable engineer; salary, $5,000 per annum with travelling allowance, besides passage to China and back to United States of America on expiry of his term.”
44368
(Secret.) MY LORD,
No. 317.
GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN to THE EARL OF ELGIN. (Received December 1, 1906.)
Government House, Hong Kong, November 1, 1906.
IN continuation of my secret despatch of the 19th September, 1906,* dealing with the project to connect Canton with Whampoa by a railway, I have the honour to enclose, for your Lordship's information, a copy of a despatch with enclosures (except Chinese newspapers) which I have this day addressed to His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking.
I have, &c.,
M. NATHAN,
Governor
Hong Kong.
Enclosure in No. 317.
SIR,
Enclosure 6 in No. 316.
Government House, October 31, 1906.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 158, dated the 26th instant, on the subject of the engagement of engineers for the Canton- Hankow Railway, and to inform you that I am in communication with Mr. H. E. R. Hunter with regard to the possession by Mr. Smyth of the qualifications looked upon by Mr. Smyth [? Kwong] as requisite for the holder of the appointment of assistant chief engineer to the railway.
2. I take this opportunity of enclosing, for your information, copies of the issues of the "Chung Ngoi San Po" for the 19th and the "Tung Fong Po" for the 23rd instant, together with translations of extracts from those papers referring to the appointment in question.
R. W. Mansfield, Esq., C.M.G., &c., &c., &c.
I have, &c.,
M. NATHAN,
Governor.
SIR,
Government House, November 1, 1906.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Carnegie's despatch of September 9th, and Your Excellency's of October 9th, enclosing copies of despatches dealing with the Chinese project to connect Canton with Whampoa by railway, addressed on September 9th and October 4th respectively, to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
2. In continuation of my secret despatch of the 19th September. I enclose, for information, a copy of the issues of the "Sheung Po" of the 18th, of the "We Tsz Yat Po," of the 19th, and of the "Tsun Wan Yat Po," of the 20th October, together with translations of articles in these papers on the subject of this railway scheme.
I have, &c.,
His Excellency
Sir John Jordan, K.C.M.G.,
&c., &c., &c.
M. NATHAN,
Governor.
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• No. 299.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TELEC.O. 882
6
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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