CO129-351 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 498

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Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

Mr. Kinder to Sir J. Jordan.

Dear Sir John,

Imperial Railways of North China, Tongshan, February 8, 1908. YOURS of the 3rd instant only reached me last night, and I answer it at once. Evidently something wrong with the Chinese postal service in Peking, possibly due to New Year holidays,

I am afraid that Viceroy Chao places far too high a value on my services, but it is possible that I may be less objected to than an entirely new man with no record in China, and from that point of view I am, of course, anxious to do what I can to help matters in the manner you suggest.

Owing, however, to official rivalries and jealousies, it is essential that his Excellency Chao makes application to our Director-General, and not direct to me or anyone on my staff.

In my opinion, his Excellency Chao should apply, not only for engineering assistance, but for materials, plant, designs, and drawings, which will enable him to build his lines on accepted Chinese standards.

We also have telegraph codes, and a connection with the best makers in Europe, which enables us to start work quicker than any new concern.

On the arrival of the application in Tien-tsin, I shall then propose that we detach a suitable engineer from our staff, and that I take him to Hankow, remain there a month or so, and then leave him in charge, visiting Hankow again as may be required.

Drawings for workshops, &c., could be best made here in my office, where all necessary notes, prices, and details are at hand.

These could then be sent to Hankow for approval and execution under the engineer above mentioned.

By this method, his Excellency Chao will secure not only the help of an engineer but that of the Imperial Railways of North China, and my name can be kept in the background so as to avoid international jealousy. In fact, the Imperial Railways of North China become Consulting Expert to the Hupei Railways.

It is quite natural and businesslike for the Viceroy to turn to the oldest and most experienced railway for technical help, which involves management and accounts as well as engineering.

With regard to expense, I propose that while I am away from this line, his Excellency Chao will pay my salary (£1 per diem) to the Imperial Railway of North China for my services. In addition, he will pay my travelling expenses, i.e., what is actually out of pocket, probably 10 dollars to 12 dollars per diem.

The engineer, who may be sent to reside on the line, will receive a yearly salary 30 per cent above his present pay here in North China, and will be detached from our service so long as he is needed, or until things advance so far that the Viceroy is able to grant him a suitable contract, when he will leave our line entirely.

Few engineers at present have much faith in these railway projects, so it is very difficult to get any of my men to accept an appointment which bars their return to this service.

To make this scheme agreeable to our Directors, it will be best for all concerned for the Viceroy to place his orders for rolling-stock and girder work with us.

Later on, he will be able to copy our patterns at his own shops, but it will be close on two years before he can hope to do so with advantage.

As you are aware, uniformity of railway material throughout a country is of the utmost advantage so as to insure economical interchange of cars and facilities of repairs while holding the minimum amount of stores, i.e., capital lying idle.

We have already arranged to send Mr. Ricketts to Honan on the system above indicated.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) C. W. KINDER.

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Consul-General Fraser to Sir J. Jordan.

(No. 10.) Sir,

Hankow, February 7, 1908.

Mr. CHIN SHIH-HO, the Viceroy's Foreign Secretary, having frequently confirmed the newspaper reports of the impending commencement of construction work on the section of the Hankow-Canton Railway from Wuchang to Yochou (540 li), I forwarded to his Excellency the record of Mr. R. St. George Moore, M.I.C.E., the Consulting Engineer of the Hankow Waterworks Company, who is anxious to undertake, as his Agreement permits, other work as well.

His Excellency Chao replied that he must consult the Hupei Railway Bureau, and directed Mr. Chin, who brought his answer, to point out that Mr. Moore was not well enough known in China as a railway expert for his appointment to stimulate investment in the shares of the line, and to ask me to suggest some more prominent British engineer.

I argued that Mr. Moore was favourably known to the Directors of the local Company, all prominent men, and that it would take time to find another suitable man in England, while of Mr. Moore's competence there was no doubt. The Secretary rejoined that Mr. Moore's action was at any rate hampered by his present engagement, and added that the susceptibilities of Mr. Haraguchi, the Railway Adviser, and his three engineers who had surveyed the line, must be considered. Had not Mr. Kinder at one time been ready to come to Hupei? His reputation in China was so good and so widespread that his appointment would not only be beyond cavil but would assuredly encourage native capitalists to subscribe for shares.

I replied that Mr. Kinder had, when approached before, stipulated that, if he came, work must proceed without delay, and that his Excellency Yuan had been most reluctant to let him go even for a time.

Mr. Chin asseverated that there would be no delay, that Mr. Kinder might practically dictate his own terms, and that the claims of the Northern Railways on his time would be duly allowed for.

After I had assured myself that Mr. Kinder was the only British engineer likely to be accepted, I said I would consult you, and Mr. Chin left.

Yesterday, he returned with a message that the Viceroy would to-day apply to the Commissioner for the Northern Ports to throw no obstacle in the way of Mr. Kinder's being lent as head engineer for the Hupei, and in all probability also for the Hunan section.

Mr. Chin added that his Excellency Chao had little doubt of Mr. Kinder's appointment being presently extended to Kuangtung also, and he again dilated on the sufficiency of funds obtainable, the readiness with which shares in the Hupei section were being subscribed, and the Viceroy's determination to have his section promptly completed—in a year if abundance of labour could effect it.

The post would, he added, include advising as to the fitting up of a railway repairing and, later, engine-building shop on a site opposite this Concession, which is now being raised.

I submit that this is an opportunity of securing British supervision over most, if not all, the southern trunk line, and the preferential use of British plant and materials that it would be a pity to miss.

Though fully convinced of Mr. Moore's fitness and of the uncertainty of inducing Mr. Kinder to come here for a long visit, I feel no doubt that, unless the Viceroy's request is acceded to, the whole work will fall into Japanese hands—a consummation inconsistent with the previous history of the line.

Mr. Kinder is, I believe, well acquainted with Mr. Haraguchi, and his coming would therefore not be attended with any friction. He is also, I understand, on good terms, as is Mr. Moore, with Mr. V. K. Lee, the Director of the Hanyang Ironworks, whence rails and other iron work would be drawn. From Mr. Chin's statements, I gather that Mr. Kinder could in due course place a substitute or substitutes on the Hankow-Canton line, and I have impressed on the Viceroy's Secretary that several resident engineers will be required for the various sections if the work is to be carried out with speed and efficiency, even though, as he says, the section is free from tunnels and bridges of any size.

I have, &c.

(Signed) E. H. FRASER.

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