CO129-326 - Foreign Office - 1904 — Page 154

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2. The construction of railways in Szechuan and the adjoining territory to the south of the Yang-tsze is not a question in which Indian interests are direrights may be jeopardized. The field left open to others may be monopolized to the concerned. I would, however, call the attention of your Excellency's Govern detriment of the interests of Burmah, whether commercial or political. I need not the suggestion made by Colonel Manifold that male roads should be constructed

mind your Excellency of the injury to the revenues of the ports in British Somaliland the principal routes at present followed by trade between Burmah and Yuuuu.which has resulted from the exclusive privileges acquired by another nation for con- Chinese authorities have, I understand, accepted the services of a British officer tracting railways into Abyssinia from the coast. To avoid a similar risk in Yunnan, the purpose of constructing the extension of the cart and mule road, which you hav

and to be prepared with information for any British Company or Syndicate that may made from Bhamo to the Chinese frontier, onwards to Momein. I suggest for you Mekong should be examined as suggested by Captain Ryder in his note dated desire to embark in the scheme, I consider that the country between the Salween and consideration the expediency of inducing them to continue the track to Tali, withi such professional aid as you can give them. The railway surveys, which I have

the 7th January, 1900, which formed an inclosure to your letter of the 16th urged you to undertake from the Salwees into Yunnan, may afford you an opper

I anticipate that a well-organized party working for a single season, July last tunity of improving in a similar manner the tracks followed by the trade in th

at the most two seasons, would obtain the required information at a comparatively direction.

small cost, and I request that you will supply me with an estimate as soon as possible. 3. A copy of a letter to the Foreign Office on the subject is inclosed,*

shall then be in a position to address the Foreign Office with a view to the necessary communications being addressed to the Chinese Government. (Signed) ST. JOHN BRODRICK

I have, &c.

Inclosure 3 in No. 1.

Mr. Brodrick to Government of India.

or

4. As regards a line from Bhamo to Momein, I have no doubt that it would ncrease the traffic by this route very greatly, not only by cheapening freights, but by rendering it more difficult for the Chinese to levy illegal taxes on the traders, which they appear to have been doing up to a recent date, and even within the British boundary. It is possible that a railway from Bhamo to Momein may never be more an a local line, if it is the case that an advance beyond Momein is impracticable. I understand A light narrow-gauge railway, therefore, would probably be sufficient. that the Government of Burmah has already constructed a cart road on this route India Office, December 18, 1903. within British territory, and bas lent to the Chinese authorities at Momein an officer I HAVE considered in Council your Government's despatch dated the 19th March of the Public Works Department to make the section within Chinese territory. This 1903, in which you reply to my letter dated the 16th January, 1903. I requested your Excellency to take the necessary steps for a more thorough survey Government for constructing a railway is not likely to be great. A line which In that lets would point to the conclusion that the difficulty in arranging with the Chinese of the districts lying between the country now traversed by railways in Burmah aereased the trade between Blamo and China would serve the interests of the

My Lord,

the frontier of China.

2. The Burmah railways may be held to terminate at present at three points:- (1.) Myit-Kina on the right bank of the Upper Irrawaddy, near the northen frontier of Burmah;

(2.) Lashio, in the Northern Shan States, distant about 80 miles from Kunlon, the Salween; and

(3.) Katha, about 70 miles south-west of Bhamo, on the right bank of the Irrawaddy, connected with Bhamo by the steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company.

As to (1), you explain that you are satisfied that the country between Myit-Kim and the frontier to the east or south-east is of a nature that does not permit of railway construction. As to (2), Lashio, you remind me that I have agreed to sty any further advance of the line from that point to the Salween, and you assure me that the information already before your Government is sufficient to determine the best alignment, if it be decided to go forward. As to (3), you are of opinion that, if the line were made from Bhamo to Momein, an advance beyond Moniein has bee proved to be impracticable.

3. It may be accepted, therefore, that the most probable terminus of a Burmese railway, to be extended into China, would be some station on the Salween near Kunlo It appears that the alignment for the section from Lashio to that terminus can le settled by the plans already available. Further surveys are, accordingly, required only for the continuance of the line in Yunnan. The immediate question is whether a thoroughly competent party of British engineers should now be detailed to examine the country beyond the border, and so cuable a judgment to be formed as to the best alignment. In your letter dated the 19th March last, your Excellency in Council stated that you awaited a clearer indication of my wishes as to the natur and locality of the suggested survey. I do not at present contemplate the immediata construction of a line in Yunnan to connect with the Burmese system, nor do I con- template the application of the revenues of India to such a project. But ment is aware that French enterprise is taking an active part in preparing for the Govern your extension of French railways into that province of China, and the Chinese Governinest | has recognized the principle that British enterprise should receive equal treatment in the matter of Concessions. It may be that fuller information will not induce British capital to avail itself of the privileges now reserved to it, but if the iden prevails that your Government and British capitalists are indifferent to their potential rights, those

* No. 1.

may be induced to join in carrying it out. The matter may be commended to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company and of the Burmah railways, and the two Companies consideration of the Lieutenant-Governor of Burmah, for, apart from trade considera- opinion, not to be lightly set aside. tions, the reasons for establishing our influence as paramount at Momein are, in my

I have, &c.

[(Signed)

ST. JOHN BRODRICK.