In
railroads of Indo-China, completed or projected, may, by an arrangement to be negotiated between the two Governments, be connected at the Chinese frontier." the 3rd moon of the 24th year [April 1898] M. Dubail, Chargé d'Affaires of France, acting under instructions from his Government, urgently requested permission to construct a railway from the frontier of Tonquin to the capital of Yunnan, China being called upon merely to provide the land for the railroad and its appurtenances. Detailed Regulations would be settled between the two Governments after the line had been surveyed.
The Tsung-li Yaman, seeing that the draft Regulations sent in by the French Minister referred only to the construction of the railway and said nothing about the control or profit China would have in it, decided to write to the Viceroy and Governor in Yunnan, asking them to consult with M. François, Consul in that province.
The Viceroy and Governor subsequently telegraphed to the Throne praying that the Regulations for this road and the Rules for railways generally might be discussed both at Peking and locally. If they were to be discussed as a whole in Yünnan, their Excellencies proposed that the Rules in general force with regard to control and profit should be settled with the French authorities before Regulations for the construction of the road were broached. To this the Imperial assent was given.
Memorialists, considering that road Regulations and General Rules were one and the same thing, prayed that command might be given to the Viceroy and Governor to come to an arrangement with the French authorities. If these last held firmly to their own views, telegrams should be sent from time to time to the Wai-wu Pu, who would smooth things down with the French Minister. To this the Imperial assent was given on the 15th of the 3rd moon of the present year, and a note was sent accordingly to Yünnan.
When the Regulations, as a whole, came to be discussed between the Yüunan Government and the French Consul, a fair understanding was arrived at as regards the details of railway construction, but in questions of control and interest, such as a time-limit for the restoration of the road or a division of the profits, both matters of consequence, the French Consul firmly declined to agree, saying that he must report to his Government and to his Minister at Peking.
Mémorialists received constant letters and telegrams from the Viceroy and Governor, together with the full text of the Regulations, and a request that the Wai-wu Pu would smooth these down by consultation with the French Minister.
The French Minister, M. Dubail, also under instructions from his Government, wrote urging a Conference at Peking. The Regulations he inclosed corresponded on the whole with those set out by the Yunnan Government, but were, as before, silent on the questions of restoration of the road and division of profits. They contained, on the other hand, a clause permitting branch lines, which clause Memorialists were frequently pressed to accept,
Memorialists, on the ground that branch lines are permitted in railway agreements everywhere, proposed that, when the main line is constructed, should it appear to both parties to be advantageous, the Railway Company will arrive at an understanding with the high authorities of Yunnan, and, after the French Minister has arranged matters with the Wai-wu Pu, such branch lines can be opened. But as the loan of the land for the construction of the main line is due to the special friendship subsisting between the two Governments, if no time-limit is fixed for restoration of such land the rights of the lord of the soil may be impugned. regards the purchase of ground by the Yunnan Government, the expenditure would be heavy, and, if there were no profits to be shared, their loss would be still greater. These are matters on which the whole contract hinges and with which the Province of Yunnan is intimately concerned. If they are not previously settled the question of constructing branch lines and all the other Articles cannot well be adjusted.
After holding out for some months the French Minister at last agreed that China could arrange for the return of the line after eighty years. As for the question of profits, the French Minister offered to lend 2,000,000 fr., without interest, to enable the Yunnan Government to purchase the land. After the lapse of fifteen years this sum would be repaid out of the profits.
Memorialists, thinking that to borrow money to buy land might entail regrettable consequences, were altogether opposed to it. They therefore agreed that China should be at liberty to purchase shares in the Company and to join in the profits equally with other shareholders. Should her investments in this stock become considerable she would thus recover her control. After carefully checking each Article, weighing advantages and disadvantages, and providing for all objections, as the result of a dozen interviews with the French Minister the matter was reduced to a fine point and at last settled.
The amended Articles are now set out in their order and submitted for your Majesties' approval. If they receive your Majesties' assent, memorialists will communicate them to the French Minister for his signature, and will send them to the Viceroy and the Governor of Yünnan for their guidance.
The above details of the Agreement arrived at for the Yunnan Railway, your memorialists, as their duty is, have embodied in the present Memorial, concerning which they humbly beg that the Empress-Dowager and the Emperor will graciously issue their commands.
On the 10th day of the 9th moon of the 29th year of the Kuang-hsü [29th October, 1903] was noted in vermilion, "Be it as proposed." This from the Throne.
(Copie.)
Les 19 et 20 de la 3e lune de la 24 année Kouang-Siu, correspondant aux 9 et 10 Avril, 1898, des dépêches ont été échangées entre M. Dubail, Chargé d'Affaires de la République Française à Pékin, et le Tsong-li Yamên.
Il est écrit dans ces dépêches ce qui suit:-
1. Le Gouvernement Chinois accorde au Gouvernement Français ou à la Compagnie Française que celui-ci désignera, le droit de construire un chemin de fer allant de la frontière du Tonkin à Yunnan-fou, le Gouvernement Chinois n'ayant d'autre charge que de fournir le terrain pour la voie et ses dépendances.
2. Le tracé de cette ligne est étudié en ce moment et sera ultérieurement fixé d'accord entre les deux Gouvernements.
3. Un règlement sera fait d'accord.
Dans la dépêche du Tsong-li Yamên il est écrit que ces Conventions sont destinées à resserrer les liens d'amitié qui unissent la France et la Chine, et que ces deux nations devront affermir les bonnes relations qui existent entre elles et écarter à tout jamais toute cause de conflit.
En conséquence, le Gouvernement Français a désigné, pour construire et exploiter le chemin de fer du Tonkin à Yünnan-fou, la "Compagnie Française des Chemins de fer de l'Indo-Chine et du Yunnan," qui a été constituée par les plus importants établissements financiers de France.
Le tracé du chemin de fer a été, d'autre part, étudié par le Gouvernement Français et ensuite par la Compagnie Française des Chemins de fer de l'Indo-Chine et du Yünnan.
En exécution des Conventions rappelées ci-dessus, les hautes autorités contractantes ont, d'un commun accord, arrêté le présent Règlement, dans le but d'écarter à tout jamais toute cause de conflit et d'assurer l'exécution des travaux et l'exploitation du chemin de fer dans des conditions satisfaisantes pour tous.
Article 1. Le tracé du chemin de fer à construire entre la frontière du Tonkin et Yünnan-fou partira de Ho Keou et passera par ou près de Mongtze, pour aboutir à Yünnan-fou.
Si, par la suite, la nécessité est reconnue par le Gouvernement Français d'apporter quelques modifications au tracé ci-dessus indiqué, il en sera donné connaissance aux hautes autorités de la Province du Yunnan par dépêches officielles du Consul-Général de France en résidence dans cette province. Après examen, de concert avec les ingénieurs, des propositions soumises, et lorsqu'il aura été reconnu qu'il n'existe pas d'inconvénient, il sera répondu immédiatement par les hautes autorités du Yunnan au Consul-Général de France, par voie de dépêche officielle, donnant le consentement nécessaire. Alors les modifications pourront être effectuées.
En cas de désaccord entre les hautes autorités de la Province du Yunnan et le Consul-Général de France, il sera statué par accord entre la Légation de la République Française à Pékin et le Wai-wou Pou.
Art. 2. Lorsque les agents des travaux auront arrêté d'une manière définitive le plan de détail du chemin de fer, ils dresseront une carte détaillée du tracé, et ils y indiqueront d'une façon précise les emplacements des gares et des chantiers.
Les terrains nécessaires à la construction des gares, chantiers, ateliers, magasins,
(2062 -1).
564
4
In
railroads of Indo-China, completed or projected, may, by an arrangement to be negotiated between the two Governments, be connected at the Chinese frontier." the 3rd moon of the 24th year [April 1598] M. Dubail, Chargé d'Affaires of France, acting under instructions from his Government, urgently requested permission to construct a railway from the frontier of Tonquin to the capital of Yunnan, China being called upon merely to provide the land for the railroad and its appurtenances. Detailed Regulations would be settled between the two Governments after the line had been surveyed.
The Tsung-li Yaman, seeing that the draft Regulations sent in by the French Minister referred only to the construction of the railway and said nothing about the control or profit China would have in it, decided to write to the Viceroy and Governor in Yunnan, asking them to consult with M. François, Consul in that province.
The Viceroy and Governor subsequently telegraphed to the Throne praying that the Regulations for this road and the Rules for railways generally might be discussed both at Peking and locally. If they were to be discussed as a whole in Yünnan, their Excellencies proposed that the Rules in general force with regard to control and profit should be settled with the French authorities before Regulations for the construction of the road were broached. To this the Imperial assent was given.
Memorialists, considering that road Regulations and General Rules were one and the same thing, prayed that command might be given to the Viceroy and Governor to come to an arrangement with the French authorities. If these last held firmly to their own views, telegrams should be sent from time to time to the Wai-wa P, who would smooth things down with the French Minister. To this the Imperial assent was given on the 15th of the 3rd moon of the present year, and a note was sent accordingly to Yünnan.
When the Regulations, as a whole, came to be discussed between the Yüunan Government and the French Consul, a fair understanding was arrived at as regards the details of railway construction, but in questions of control and interest, such as a time-limit for the restoration of the road or a division of the profits, both matters of consequence, the French Consul firmly declined to agree, saying that he must report to his Government and to his Minister at Peking.
Mémorialists received constant letters and telegrams from the Viceroy and Governor, together with the full text of the Regulations, and a request that the Wai-wu Pu would smooth these down by consultation with the French Minister.
The French Minister, M. Dubail, also under instructions from his Government, wrote urging a Conference at Peking. The Regulations he inclosed corresponded on the whole with those set out by the Yunnan Government, but were, as before, silent on the questions of restoration of the road and division of profits. They contained, on the other hand, a clause permitting branch lines, which clause Memorialists were frequently pressed to accept,
Memorialists, on the ground that branch lines are permitted in railway agreements everywhere, proposed that, when the main line is constructed, should it appear to both parties to be advantageous, the Railway Company will arrive at an understanding with the high authorities of Yunnan, and, after the French Minister has arranged matters with the Wai-wu Pu, such branch lines can he opened. But as the loan of the land for the construction of the main line is due to the special friendship subsisting between the two Governments, if no time-limit is fixed for restoration of such land the rights of the lord of the soil may be impugned. 49. regards the purchase of ground by the Yunnan Government, the expenditure would be heavy, and, if there were no profits to be shared, their loss would be still greater. These are matters on which the whole contract hinges and with which the Province of Yunnan is intimately concerned. If they are not previously settled the question of constructing branch lines and all the other Articles cannot well be adjusted.
After holding out for some months the French Minister at last agreed that China could arrange for the return of the line after eighty years. As for the question of profits, the French Minister offered to lend 2,000,000 fr., without interest, to enable the Yunnan Government to purchase the land. After the lapse of fifteen this
years sum would be repaid out of the profits.
Memorialists, thinking that to borrow money to buy land might entail regrettable consequences, were altogether opposed to it. They therefore agreed that China should be at liberty to purchase shares in the Company and to join in the profits equally with other shareholders. Should her investments in this stock become considerable she would thus recover her control. After carefully checking each Article, weighing
5
advantages and disadvantages, and providing for all objections, as the result of a dozen interviews with the French Minister the matter was reduced to a fine point and Cat last settled.
The amended Articles are now set out in their order and submitted for your Majesties approval. If they receive your Majesties' assent, memorialists will commu- nicate them to the French Minister for his signature, and will send them to the Viceroy and the Governor of Yünnan for their guidance.
The above details of the Agreement arrived at for the Yunnan Railway, your memorialists, as their duty is, have embodied in the present Memorial, concerning which they humbly beg that the Empress-Dowager and the Emperor will graciously issue their commands.
On the 10th day of the 9th moon of the 29th year of the Kuang-hsü [29th October, 1903] was noted in vermilion, "Be it as proposed." This from the Throne.
(Copie.)
Les 19 et 20 de la 3e lune de la 24 année Kouang-Siu, correspondant aux 9 et 10 Avril, 1898, des dépêches ont été échangées entre M. Dubail, Chargé d'Affaires de la République Française à Pékin, et le Tsong-li Yamên.
П est écrit dans ces dépêches ce qui suit:-
1. Le Gouvernement Chinois accorde au Gouvernement Français ou à la Compagnie Française que celui-ci désignera, le droit de construire un chemin de fer allant de la frontière du Tonkin à Yuunan-fou, le Gouvernement Chinois n'ayant d'autre charge que de fournir le terrain pour la voie et ses dépendances.
2. Le tracé de cette ligne est étudié en ce moment et sera ultérieurement fixé d'accord entre les deux Gouvernements.
3. Un règlement sera fait d'accord.
Dans la dépêche du Tsong-li Yamên il est écrit que ces Conventions sont destinées à resserrer les liens d'amitié qui unissent la France et la Chine, et que ces deux nations devront affermir les bounes relations qui existent entre elles et écarter à tout jamais toute cause de conflit.
En conséquence, le Gouvernement Français a désigné, pour construire et exploiter le chemin de fer du Tonkin à Yünnan-fou, la "Compagnie Française des Chemins de fer de l'Indo-Chine et du Yunnan," qui a été constituée par les plus importants établissements financiers de France.
Le tracé du chemin de fer a été, d'autre part, étudié par le Gouvernement Français et ensuite par la Compagnie Française des Chemins de fer de l'Indo-Chine et du Yünnan.
En exécution des Conventions rappelées ci-dessus, les hautes autorités con- tractantes out, d'un commun accord, arrêté le présent Règlement, dans le but d'écarter à tout jamais toute cause de conflit et d'assurer l'exécution des travaux et l'exploitation du chemin de fer dans des conditions satisfaisantes pour tous.
Article 1. Le tracé du chemin de fer à construire entre la frontière du Tonkin et Yünnan-fou partira de Ho Keou et passera par ou près de Mongtze, pour aboutir à Yünnau-fou.
Si, par la suite, la nécessité est reconnue par le Gouvernement Français d'apporter quelques modifications au tracé ci-dessus indiqué, il en sera donné connais- sance aux hautes autorités de la Province du Yunnan par dépêches officielles du Consul-Général de France en résidence dans cette province. Après examen, de concert avec les ingénieurs, des propositions soumises, et lorsqu'il aura été reconnu qu'il n'existe pas d'inconvénient, il sera répondu immédiatement par les hautes autorités du Yunnan au Consul-Général de France, par voie de dépêche officielle, donnant le consentement nécessaire. Alors les modifications pourront être effectuées.
En cas de désaccord entre les hautes autorités de la Province du Yunnan et le Consul-Général de France, il sera statué par accord entre la Légation de la République Française à Pékin et le Wai-wou Pou.
Art. 2. Lorsque les agents des travaux auront arrêté d'une manière définitive je plan de détail du chemin de fer, ils dresseront une carte détaillée du tracé, et ils y indiqueront d'une façon précise les emplacements des gares et des chantiers.
Les terrains nécessaires à la construction des gares, chantiers, ateliers, magasins,
(2062 -1].
564
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