3
with Mr. Mansfield in thinking that there is no ground for serious apprehension that the first part of Cheung's project, viz., the construction of a line running parallel with the Canton-Kowloon Railway from Canton to Sheklung will be attempted. Such a line would clearly be to the detriment of the Canton-Kowloon Railway for about 50 miles of its course, and as the Chinese Government have guaranteed the loan in their Agreement with the British and Chinese Corporation, it would be against their own interests to approve a competing line.
But the project described in the second paragraph of the newspaper extract, for the construction of a short line from Tamshui, is perhaps more likely to be pursued. The translation of the newspaper extract, however, scarcely furnished me with sufficient data upon which to base an official representation to the Chinese Government, and the present is not a favourable juncture for raising the question with the Chinese Government when their attention is engrossed by strong agitation in other provinces against the British and Chinese Corporation's interests.
If your Excellency can furnish me with further information on the subject I would be in a better position to make inquiries as to whether the Government is supporting Cheung's scheme, and it would be of material assistance if I could be supplied with a map, on a fairly large scale, showing the alignment of the Canton-Kowloon Railway, of Cheung's projected line or lines, and with the names of the principal places marked in English and Chinese.
I also have the honour to request that a copy of the Chinese text of documents may accompany translations.
From inquiries I have now made I understand that Cheung a month or so ago again memorialized the Board, which called for a report from Viceroy. Nothing whatever has, however, been done to carry the project into effect, and I do not in the least believe any attempt will be made to carry it out in its original form. I might mention, however, that at a recent interview with the Viceroy the conversation turned on railways, and I took occasion to point out the advantages of a line from Ch'aochow Fu connecting with the Canton-Kowloon Railway at or near Sheklung. His Excellency, I remarked at the time, listened with great attention to my remarks on the subject.
In my opinion there is no ground for any serious apprehension that the first part of Cheung's project, viz., a line running parallel with the Canton-Kowloon Railway from Canton to Sheklung, will be attempted. I shall, of course, keep careful watch for any signs of an intention to construct such a line. I have had no communication on the subject with Sir John Jordan since January last. I am forwarding to him copy of this despatch.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
(No. 57.) Sir,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.
Canton, November 13, 1907. SIR FREDERICK LUGARD has forwarded to me copy of his despatch to you of the 8th instant on the subject of the development of the Port of Whampoa, and the alleged proposed Canton-Whampoa-Amoy Railway.
His Excellency inquired whether I had any recent information in the matter. I have the honour to inclose herewith copy of my reply of to-day's date.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Inclosure in No. 1.
(No. 135.) Sir,
Consul-General Mansfield to Governor Sir F. Lugard.
Canton, November 18, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 134 of the 8th instant, forwarding an extract from the "Tsun Wan Yat Pao," and asking if I have any recent information relative to the project to connect Canton and Amoy by a railway.
In reply, I have the honour to state that this project was mooted by Cheung Pat-sz more than a year ago, before the Loan Agreement for the Canton-Kowloon Railway was signed. The idea was favourably entertained by the late Viceroy Ts'en, especially that part of the scheme for the development of Wuchung (nearly opposite Whampoa) as a trading mart for sea-going ships. I called on Mr. Cheung and had a long conversation with him, in which I pointed out that the line of which he indicated to me the course, would run side by side with the Kowloon line for some 50 miles as far as Sheklung. I explained that such cutthroat competition between the two lines could not be permitted, but that a line from Ch'aochow Fu (Swatow), forming a junction at Sheklung with the Kowloon line, would tap some of the richest part of the province and would be of benefit to everybody. The only work that was ever done on the line was a rough survey up to a point on the Fukien frontier, north of Ch'aochow Fu. Later, after the signing of the Loan Agreement, I think, I learnt from Cheung that he had memorialized the Board of Commerce, but had received no reply.
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3
with Mr. Mansfield in thinking that there is no ground for serious apprehension that the first part of Cheung's project, viz., the construction of a line running parallel with the Canton-Kowloon Railway from Canton to Sheklung will be attempted. Such a line would clearly be to the detriment of the Canton-Kowloon Railway for about 50 miles of its course, and as the Chinese Government have guaranteed the loan in their Agreement with the British and Chinese Corporation, it would be against their own interests to approve a competing line.
But the project described in the second paragraph of the newspaper extract, for the construction of a short line from Tamshui, is perhaps more likely to be pursued. The translation of the newspaper extract, however, scarcely furnished me with sufficient data upon which to base an official representation to the Chinese Govern- ment, and the present is not a favourable juncture for raising the question with the Chinese Government when their attention is engrossed by strong agitation in other provinces again the British and Chinese Corporation's interests.
If your Excellency can furnish me with further information on the subject I would be in a better position to make inquiries as to whether the Government is supporting Cheung's scheme, and it would be of material assistance if I could be supplied with a map, on a fairly large scale, showing the alignment of the Canton- Kowloon Railway, of Cheung's projected line or lines, and with the names of the principal places marked in English and Chinese.
I also have the honour to request that a copy of the Chinese text of documents may accompany translations.
From inquiries I have now made I understand that Cheung a month or so ago again memorialized the Board, which called for a report from Viceroy. Nothing whatever has, however, been done to carry the project into effect, and I do not in the least believe any attempt will be made to carry it out in its original form. I might mention, however, that at a recent interview with the Viceroy the conversation turned on railways, and I took occasion to point out the advantages of a line from Ch'acchow Fu connecting with the Canton-Kowloon Railway at or near Sheklung. His Excellency, I remarked at the time, listened with great attention to my remarks on the subject.
In my opinion there is no ground for any serious apprehension that the first part of Cheung's project, viz., a line running parallel with the Canton-Kowloon Railway from Cauton to Sheklung, will be attempted. I shall, of course, keep careful watch for any signs of an intention to construct such a line. I have had no communication on the subject with Sir John Jordan since January last. I am forwarding to him copy of this despatch.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
(No. 57.) Šir,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Consul-General Mansfield to Sir J. Jordan.
Canton, November 13, 1907. SIR FREDERICK LUGARD has forwarded to me copy of his despatch to you of the 8th instant on the subject of the development of the Port of Whampoa, and the alleged proposed Canton-Whampoa-Whampoa-Amoy Railway.
His Excellency inquired whether I had any recent information in the matter. I have the honour to inclose herewith copy of my reply of to-day's date.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Inclosure in No. 1.
(No. 135.) Sir,
Consul-General Mansfield to Governor Sir F. Lugard.
Canton, November 18, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 134 of the 8th instant, forwarding an extract from the "Tsun Wan Yat Pao," and asking if I have any recent information relative to the project to connect Canton and Amoy by a railway.
In reply, I have the honour to state that this project was mooted by Cheung Pat-sz more than a-year ago, before the Loan Agreement for the Canton-Kowloon Railway was signed. The idea was favourably entertained by the late Viceroy Ts'en, especially that part of the scheme for the development of Wuchung (nearly opposite Whampoa) as a trading mart for sea-going ships. I called on Mr. Cheung and had a long conversation with him, in which I pointed out that the line of which he indicated to me the course, would run side by side with the Kowloon line for some 50 miles as. far as Sheklung. I explained that such cutthroat competition between the two lines could not be permitted, but that a line from Ch'aochow Fu (Swatow), forming a junction at Sheklung with the Kowloon line, would tap some of the richest part of the province and would be of benefit to everybody. The only work that was ever done on the line was a rough survey up to a point on the Fukien frontier, north of Ch'aochow Fu. Later, after the signing of the Loan Agreement, I think, I learnt from Cheung that he had memorialized the Board of Commerce, but had received no reply.
86
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