As Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
[June 3.]
SECTION 4.
301
CONFIDENTIAL
[17900]
(No. 179.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey. (Received June 3.)
Peking, April 15, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 67 of the 4th February, I have the honour to inclose copies of further correspondence relating to the proposed employment of British engineers on the Canton-Hankow Railway.
In a despatch of the 22nd January, the Acting Governor of Hong Kong expressed the view that his Government would regard the appointment of a foreigner, who was not British, as Deputy Chief Engineer at Canton, as a breach of faith on the part of the Chinese Government.
In transmitting a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow, I stated that, as the negotiator of the Redemption Loan, we must look to the Viceroy of Wuchang to secure the loyal fulfilment of the assurances of September 1905, in letter and spirit, by the Canton Company and the other provincial authorities and Corporations concerned in the construction of the Canton-Hankow Railway, and I requested Mr. Fraser to press the Hong Kong Government's views on his Excellency's attention.
Mr. Fraser's despatches of the 5th March and the 2nd April report in detail the steps taken by him, which have my entire approval, and his letter of the 19th March to Mr. T. J. Bourne explains the present position of the matter.
In his despatch of the 31st January Mr. Mansfield reports the action which he look at Canton in furtherance of the views of the Hong Kong Government.
Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Acting Governor May to Sir J. Jordan.
Government House, Hong Kong, January 22, 1907.
WITH reference to Mr. Mansfield's letter of the 15th instant on the subject of the appointment of Deputy Chief Engineer for the Yuch Han Railway, I need hardly assure your Excellency that this Government would regard the appointment of a foreign engineer to the post as a breach of faith on the part of the Chinese authorities.
With regard to the proposed salary of the post, it may be well to remind the Chinese Government that a salary of 1,000 dollars a-month, with house allowance is very moderate when compared with salaries paid by this Government and by other large employers in this Colony.
For instance, the engineer in charge of the construction of the British section of the Canton-Kowloon Railway of a length of only 22 miles, receives 1,2001. per annum. with a travelling and house allowance of 2001. per annum.
The appointment of Deputy Engineer for a large railway work like the Yueh Han Railway is a much more arduous and responsible position, and it is certain that the Chinese authorities could not obtain the services of a qualified and competent British engineer for a less salary than that which Mr. Mansfield has suggested for Mr. Smyth.
may
It be that the Chinese authorities are suspicious because a particular engineer is pressed upon them. If this is so, I venture to suggest that, if they will definitely agree to appoint a British engineer, this Government will be glad to assist them in the selection of a competent candidate either in England or elsewhere for the salary mentioned, namely 12,000 dollars a-year, with a house and travelling allowance say of 2,400 dollars per annum.
I have, &c. (Signed)
F. H. MAY.
[2525 c-4)
B
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.