w
*
Enews the ho
Daily Prefs
4th actoba 1905
KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY.
It is reported that Mr. James Scott, H.B.M's Consul General at this port, has lately been pressing Viceroy Shum in respect of the building of the Kowloon-Canton Railway.
This question has been very unch to the fore of late. The firm stand taken by His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, Governor of Hongkong, and the energetic steps taken by Consul General Scott here, lead us to hope that the coustraction of this important line will be commenced at an early date. Meanwhile despatches are being exchanged on the matter.
The following is a translation of a dispatch recently sent by Viceroy Shum to His Excellency Cheong Pat Shi, minister of rail- ways and mines in China:
"With reference to the important subject of the building of the Kowloon-Canton Railway: which the British peopl› decided to undertako a few years ago. A draft agreement was drawn up between Sheng Sheun Wai, Minister of Railways and chief director of the railway com- [any, and the British firm of Yee-wo (Jardins Matheson & Co.) in the 25th year of Kwang Hsu. The British people are now urging us to com- mence the building of this line. They desira us to raise a loan and join them in the construc- tion of the line. I have repeatedly telegraphed to the Wai-wa-pu and also to Sheang Sheun Wai, requesting them to devise means to pre- vent this important railway line falling entirely into the hands of foreigners. It is absolutely necessary that the funds required for construe. tion work should be raised by the Chinese themselves, in order to secure the right of control on the railway. Many telegrams have been exchanged between us ou this matter, A. demarcation of the boundary line of the British concession in Kowloon has already been decided upon and the British people will only build that section of the lino which runs through their land. Tho other section which runs from the Kowloon boundary to Cauton must be built with funds raised in the Kwangtung Province. When both parties bave completed their respective lince they will be linked together. I have received க telegram from the Wai-wu-pa, stating that they have com. municated the matter to Sheng Shean Wai and that he has been requested to discuss the matter in earnest with the British Minister in Peking. The telegram also authorises me to hold firmly to the ri-w I have taken in this watter and to enter minutely into the details of the affair with the British Consul From enquiries made I have discovered that the Kowloon-Craton railway is a very important undertaking and no matter how the lue is to be constructed, the funds required for its construction must be raised by ourselves so that we may not lose one right, of control. The T distance from Cauton to the Kowloon boundary is about one hundred and ten English miles. The money required for land purchases and constraction work will amount to a huge zubi. Unfortunately the provincial coffer is fur from overflowing and it is almost impossible for the Government to find the eurDIOUS SUM NECOESATу. We shall be compelled to call upon the gentry and merebauts for assistance in the matter: by requesting them to float a company for the carrying out of the scheme and thus save appearances. The bigh reputation which Your Excellency bas always held leads the gentry and merchouts of the Kwangtang Province to look to you for assistance. You have orders, moreover, to superintend railway and mining matters in Fokien and Kwangtung and the task of forming a company is an easier matter for you on account of your high position and great power. I have, therefore, communicated this matter to you that you may enquire into the details of this affair, find out the cost of the work and devise meaus for the formation of a company to raise the funds necessary to carry the scheme through successfully and to report same to me.'
477
3
Page 480Page 481
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.