CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 338

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section possessed no expert knowledge, and was for that reason less inclined to raise questions with the Chief Engineer. They had no fault to find with Mr. Tuckey's work, with the progress of which they were quite satisfied, in fact they considered that the southern section was the more advanced of the two.

I agreed that so far as my information went Taotai Lo was not a satisfactory Managing Director. There were other matters which he did not appear to be treating reasonably or amicably, and it was highly necessary, if the work of the southern section was to be properly carried on, that there should be a permanent head at Nanking to keep him under control and to take decisions on the questions which were constantly arising between him, the Chief Engineer, and the Chinese Central Railways. Mr. Tuckey, I pointed out, was an experienced man who had been many years in the employ of the Chinese Government on the northern railways, whose character for fair dealing was well-known and who merely wished to be allowed to build the railway to the best of his ability. I promised, however, to draw his attention to Article 17 and to recommend him to submit his views on points of difference personally to the Directors-General.

La Ta-jén reminded me that he had been to Nanking once and had been able to compose the differences then existing; but for the national mourning he would have gone again. Both he and Sun Ta-jên agreed that more frequent visits were necessary, and they had arranged that Sun Ta-jen should go to Nanking shortly and put matters on a proper footing. Afterwards regular visits to the southern section would be made in turn by the Directors-General, and I was assured that they would do everything in their power to promote harmonious co-operation between the foreign and Chinese staff.

I have informed Mr. Bland that it is desirable in the circumstances that a representative of the Chinese Central Railways and the auditor appointed under Article 14 of the Loan Agreement should be present at the time of his Excellency Sun's visit to assist in removing points of dispute and in coming to an amicable understanding; and Mr. Bland tells me that steps will be taken to do this.

You should inform Mr. Tuckey verbally and confidentially of the contents of this despatch, and mention to him that I rely on his discretion and judgment to so arrange matters with the Directors-General in person and the Chinese Central Rail- ways' agents, that the terms of the Loan Agreement may be fulfilled without unnecessary friction.

I am, &c.

(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.

Office or Individual,

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