2
me to assure the Governor of Hong Kong that, should his Excellency deem it advisable to start preliminary negotiations at this stage, he will co-operate in whatever way he does. He does not wish to take any active part in the negotiations himself, as he is afraid that by so doing he might compromise his position as Engineer-in-chief vis-à-vis the Chinese authorities.
I am forwarding a copy of this despatch to the Governor of Hong Kong.
I have, &c.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
Page 376
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[November
SECTION 3. ? DEC 08,
4174
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 14.)
(39620)
(Signed) H. H. FOX.
(No. 435. Very Confidential.)
Sir,
Peking, September 30, 1908. IN continuation of my despatch No. 359 of the 6th ultimo, and in confirmation of my telegram No. 154 of yesterday's date, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of an Agreement entered into on the 26th instant between Lord ffrench and his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi, respecting the survey and eventual construction by Messrs. Pauling and Co. of a line of railway from Chin Chow-fu to Tao Nan-fu.
Lord ffrench spoke to me about this matter some weeks ago, and suggested that I might move his Excellency Tong to come to a more definite arrangement with Pauling and Co. before he left on his mission to America and Europe.
I found an opportunity some days later of explaining to Tong Ta-jên that Pauling and Co., having completed the preliminary inspection of the route, were now in a position to carry out the detailed survey, and that if the Chinese were really serious about the project it ought not to be left in suspense until his Excellency's return a year or so hence. Pauling and Co. had been represented in China for a considerable time without obtaining any contracts, and it was possible that they might withdraw their agent if they were confronted with the prospect of having to wait another year for a chance of business.
Tong Ta-jên saw Lord ffrench the following day, and invited him to go to Tien-tsin to discuss the question, with the result that the present Agreement was concluded.
Mr. Hughes, the engineer whom I mentioned in my despatch No. 359, has surveyed the coast from Chin Chow-fu to Shan Hai Kuan, and the only point he found at all suitable for a winter port is a place called Hu Luu Tao (latitude 40° 45', longitude 121°). This place, which is only some 8 miles distant from the course of the Northern Railway, forms a small bay about 2 miles wide, with a depth along one side of from 25 to 38 feet at low water. It is believed to be frozen for only about a month in winter.
The whole scheme as it stands at present is one rather of bold conception than of assured feasibleness, but it has the merit of not clashing with Japanese rights, and would, if practicable, open up an immense region to Chinese colonization and general trade.
I propose to send a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
(Private.)
Inclosure in No. 1.
Agreement.
THE Viceroy and Governor-General of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien are desirous that Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited) shall build and construct a railway from Chin Chow-fu to Tao Nan-fu.
It is agreed that the cost of the detailed survey shall be 30l. per mile, and the survey shall be carried out under the instructions of the consulting engineer, Mr. Jeme Tien Yew.
It is also agreed that on the completion of the detailed survey to the satisfaction of the Manchurian Government, the construction contract for the building of the
Page 2030
can.
2
me to assure the Governor of Hong Kong that, should his Excellency deem it advisable to start preliminary negotiations at this stage, he will co-operate in whatever way he He does not wish to take any active part in the negotiations himself, as he is afraid that by so doing he might compromise his position as Engineer-in-chief vis-à-vis the Chinese authorities.
I am forwarding a copy of this despatch to the Governor of Hong Kong.
I have, &c.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
376 C. 0°
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[November
SECTION 3. ? DEC 08,
4174
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 14.)
(39620]
(Signed) H. H. FOX.
(No. 435. Very Confidential.)
Sir,
Peking, September 30, 1908. IN continuation of my despatch No. 359 of the 6th ultimo, and in confirmation of my telegram No. 154 of yesterday's date, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of an Agreement entered into on the 26th instant between Lord ffrench and his Excellency Tong Shoa-yi, respecting the survey and eventual construction by Messrs. Pauling and Co. of a line of railway from Chin Chow-fu to Tao Nan-fu.
Lord ffrench spoke to me about this matter some weeks ago, and suggested that I might move his Excellency Tong to come to a more definite arrangement with Pauling and Co. before he left on his mission to America and Europe.
I found an opportunity some days later of explaining to Tong Ta-jên that Pauling and Co., baving completed the preliminary inspection of the route, were now in a position to carry out the detailed survey, and that if the Chinese were really serious about the project it ought not to be left in suspense until his Excellency's return a year or so heuce. Pauling and Co. had been represented in China for a considerable time without obtaining any contracts, and it was possible that they might withdraw their agent if they were confronted with the prospect of having to wait another year for a chance of business.
Tong Ta-jên saw Lord ffrench the following day, and invited him to go to Tien-tsin to discuss the question, with the result that the present Agreement was concluded.
Mr. Hughes, the engineer whom I mentioned in my despatch No. 359, has surveyed the coast from Chin Chow-fu to Shan Hai Kuan, and the only point he found at all suitable for a winter port is a place called Hu Luu Tao (latitude 40° 45', longitude 121°). This place, which is only some 8 miles distant from the course of the Northern Railway, forms a small bay about 2 miles wide, with a depth along one side of from 25 to 38 feet at low water. It is believed to be frozen for only about a month in winter.
The whole scheme as it stands at present is one rather of bold conception than of assured feasibleness, but it has the merit of not clashing with Japanese rights, and would, if practicable, open up an immense region to Chinese colonization and general trade.
I propose to send a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
(Private.)
Inclosure in No. 1.
Agreement.
THE Viceroy and Governor-General of Manchuria and the Governor of Fengtien are desirous that Messrs. Pauling and Co. (Limited) shall build and construct a railway from Chin Chow-fu to Tao Nan-fu.
It is agreed that the cost of the detailed survey shall be 301. per mile, and the survey shall be carried out under the instructions of the consulting engineer, Mr. Jeme Tien Yew.
It is also agreed that on the completion of the detailed survey to the satisfaction of the Manchurian Government, the construction contract for the building of the
[2030 o---3]
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