This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
529
[September 12.]
SECTION 1.
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received September 12.)
No. 256.)
Peking, July 20, 1904.
My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul-General at Yunnan-fu, inclosing a report by Mr. Litton on the present state of the road under construction, from the Kulikha River on the Burmah frontier to Mansien.
Seventeen miles of the road have now been completed.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
ERNEST SATOW.
No. 16.)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul-General Wilkinson to Sir E. Satow.
Yunnan-fu, June 1, 1904.
I HAVE the honour to forward a despatch to your address from Mr. Litton, reporting on the road from the Burmah frontier stream Kulikha to the hamlet of Man-yim, on the opposite side to Manwyne of the Taiping River.
I reported to you in January last by telegraph the commencement of this work, but I am still awaiting the receipt of printed copies of my correspondence with the Government before furnishing you with details of the Agreement which, in conjunction with Mr. Litton, I negotiated at Teng-yueh last December.
As it is unlikely that further Chinese funds will be available, it is earnestly to be hoped that the Government of Burmah will agree to continue the work at its own expense up to Teng-yueh, future repairs to be seen to by the Customs Tautai, the Commissioner, and the Consul. Next to the removal of the disastrous prohibition against the transit of opium, a good mule road is the first requisite for the revival of our long neglected frontier trade. Even if it is decided to undertake railway construction in the Taiping Valley, some time must elapse before such a decision can be fruitful, and even when work is commenced, a good service road will be a necessity.
In conclusion, I would draw attention to the excellent service rendered by Mr. A. W. Mukerjee, Assistant Engineer in the Burmah Public Works Department, in connection with this road. Owing to his experience of frontier road-making he was put in sole charge, and very wisely given wide discretion. The result is that in three months he has put through a work that has been talked about for three years. His tact and energy were of great value. He had to deal with suspicious Chinese officials, lazy Shan headmen, and ignorant Kachins, but there has been no single instance of serious trouble or misunderstanding. At one time nearly 3,000 men were working on the road, which has been made chiefly by contract piece labour. The good impression made by Mr. Mukerjee on all natives with whom he came in contact will render any future operations by the Burmah Public Works Department in this quarter much easier, and there is every reason to hope that an abundant supply of labour will be forthcoming.
I have reason to believe that the question of a light railway to Teng-yueh is at the present time engaging the attention of the India Office and of the Indian Government. I would venture to suggest that the attention of the Government of India may be drawn to the exceptionally good services rendered, under difficult circumstances, by Mr. Mukerjee, so that, if he is available, he may be intrusted with any further work that may be undertaken in the Taiping Valley.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
W. H. WILKINSON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Acting-Consul Litton to Sir E. Satow.
Teng-yueh, May 2, 1904.
THE commencement of work on the mule road in Chinese territory, from the frontier at Kulikha River (52 miles by cart and mule road from Bhamo) up the valley of the Taiping, was reported to you by Mr. Wilkinson in the middle of January. The work for the season has now been finished, and 17 miles of good mule road with a maximum gradient of one in eighteen are now open to mule traffic. The bridge over the torrent of the Nam-sa, which is practically unfordable all the year round, is of a temporary character, and the work on this, the Taiping gorge, section of the future trade route cannot be called complete until an iron 60-foot span bridge is substituted, which will be done next year, at a probable cost of 10,000 rupees.
This section, with the solitary exception of the Nan-tien gorge, 5 miles long, commencing 2 miles from Teng-yueh, is the most difficult on the whole road. For 10 miles out of the 17 the new road had to be cut along and round spurs and buttresses descending abruptly from a main range to the Taiping. The country is entirely clad with dense virgin forest. The difficulties were creditably surmounted by the Assistant Engineer in charge. At 10 miles (Nam-sa torrent) the country opens into large rolling foot-hills, where work was easy, and at 14 miles the open plain of the Taiping is reached. The road then passes above the village of Man-hsien, and stops at the hamlet of Man-yim. From this to Lung Chang market (the third milestone on the present Bhamo trade route, counting from Teng-yueh) is 12 miles to alignment and on a dead level, and with no streams absolutely requiring bridges for mule traffic; but to make a first-class mule road over these 12 miles will cost a good deal more than was expected, owing to the presence of several large marshes, supplied by mountain streams, and through these stone causeways would have to be constructed. But an earthen "fair weather" road, which would be available for clear months of the year, with irrigation channels and ramps to and from the small streams, I have not yet traversed, could probably be made for under 20,000 rupees.
I have not yet the accounts of the sums expended this season, but I believe that the total, inclusive of bridges and dynamite, will come to 45,000 rupees, to which 10,000 rupees will be added for the iron bridge over the Nam-sa. Considering the difficult nature of the country, I believe that this is 15 to 20 per cent. cheaper than the usual Bhamo rates.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
G. LITTON.
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buttresses descending abruptly from a main range to the Taiping. The country i entirely clad with dense virgin forest. The difficulties were creditably surmounted i the Assistant Engineer in charge. At 10 miles (Nam-sa torrent) the country opens into large rolling foot-hills, where work was easy, and at 14 miles the open plain the Taiping is reached. The road then passes above the village of Man-hsien. stops at the hamlet of Man-yim. From this to Lung Chang market (the third m stage on the present Bhamo trade route, counting from Teng-yueh) is 124 miles t alignment and on a dead level, and with no streams absolutely requiring bridges f mule traffic; but to make a first-class mule road over these 12 miles will cost a go deal more than was expected, owing to the presence of several large marshes, suppia by mountain streams, and through these stone causeways would have to be structed. But an earthern "fair weather" road, which would be available for clea months of the year, with irrigation channels and ramps to and from the small stan I have not yet the traversed, could probably be made for under 20,000 rupees. accounts of the sums expended this season, but I believe that the total, inclusive bridges and dynamite will come to 45,000 rupees to which 10,000 rupees will lavet be added for the iron bridge over the Nam-sa. Considering the difficult nature of country, I believe that this is 15 to 20 per cent, cheaper than the usual Bhamo rates
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
529
[September 12.]
SECTION 1.
Sir E. Satow to the Morquess of Lansdowne.--(Received September 12.)
No. 256.)
Peking, July 20, 1904. My Lord,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copy of a despatch on His Majesty's Consul-General at Yunnan-fu, inclosing a report by Mr. Litton an the present state of the road under construction, from the Kulikha River on the Burnah frontier to Mansien.
Seventeen miles of the road have now been completed.
I have, &c.
No. 16.)
(Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul-General Wilkinson to Sir E. Satow.
ERNEST SATOW.
As it is unlikely that further Chinese funds will be available, it is earnestly to hoped that the Government of Burmah will agree to continue the work at its og expense up to Teng-yuel, future repairs to be seen to by the Customs Tautai, b Commissioner, and the Consul. Next to the removal of the disastrous prohibi against the transit of opium, a good mule road is the first requisite for the revivalc our long neglected frontier trade. Even if it is decided to undertake railway e struction in the Taiping Valley, some time must elapse before such a decision can be fruit, and even when work is commenced, a good service road will be a necessity.
In conclusion, I would draw attention to the excellent service renderei į Mr. A. W. Mukerjee, Assistant Engineer in the Burmah Public Works Departme in connection with this road. Owing to his experience of frontier road-making t was put in sole charge, and very wisely given wide discretion. The result is that three months he has put through a work that has been talked about for three year His tact and energy were of great value. He had to deal with suspicious Clithe completion, with the exception of a necessary iron brigde, of 17 miles of mule rond officials, lazy Shan headmen, and ignorant Kachins, but there has been no sing instance of serious trouble or misunderstanding. At one time nearly 3,000 mea working on the road, which has been made chiefly by contract piece labour. 1 good impression made by Mr. Mukerjee on all natives with whom he came in conta will render any future operations by the Burmah Public Works Department in Chumal: Government before furnishing you with details of the Agreement which, in much easier, and there is every reason to hope that an abundant supply of labour wonjunction with Mr. Litton, I negotiated at Teng-yuch last December.
I have reason to believe that the question of a light railway to Teng-yuch is at the be forthcoming. I would venture to suggest that the attention of the Government!
Yunnan-fu, June 1, 1904. I HAVE the honour to forward a despatch to youraddress from Mr. Litton, reporting
from the Burmah frontier stream Kulikha to the hamlet of Man-yim, on the opposite ide to Manwyne of the Taiping River.
I reported to you in January last by telegraph the commencement of this work, but I am still awaiting the receipt of printed copies of my correspondence with the
India may be drawn to the exceptionally good services rendered, under difficult cireu resent time engaging the attention of the India Office and of the Indian Government.
stances, by Mr. Mukerjee, so that, if he is available, he may be intrusted with any furth work that may be undertaken in the Taiping Valley.
I have, &c. (Signed)
G. LITTON
hould the decision be reached to construct such railway, or to continue the new road, is gratifying to learn that there is every prospect, thanks to the tact shown by Hessrs. Litton and Mukerjee, of the work being carried through without friction, or he delays due to an inadequate supply of labour.
I have, &c. (Signed)
W. H. WILKINSON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Acting-Consul Litton to Sir E. Satow.
Teng-yueh, May 2, 1904. THE commencement of work on the mule road in Chinese territory, from the ontier at Kulikha River (52 miles by cart and mule road from Bhamo) up the valley the Taiping, was reported to you by Mr. Wilkinson in the middle of January. fork for the season has now been finished, and 17 miles of good mule road with a Bug gradient of one in eighteen are now open to mule traffic. The bridge over the rent of the Nam-sa, which is practically unfordable all the year round, is of a mporary character, and the work on this, the Taiping gorge, section of the future de route cannot be called complete until an iron 60-foot span bridge is substituted, ek will be done next year, at a probable cost of 10,000 rupees.
This section, with the solitary exception of the Nan-tien gorge, 5 miles long, mmencing 28 miles from Teng-yuch, is the most difficult on the whole road. For miles out of the 17 the new road had to be cut along and round spurs and
(2172 m--1]
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