[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
C.O.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[22735]
No. 1.
23208
31
[June 18.]
112 UC SECTION 1.
}
(No. 204.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordon to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received June 18.)
Peking, May 30, 1909. IN my despatch No. 101 of the 3rd March last, I mentioned that the ex-Viceroy of Yunnan, Hsi Liang, and his successor, Li Ching-hsi, were both expected shortly in Peking, and that I intended to take advantage of their presence here to press the question of the Bhamo-Tengyueh railway.
I have had interviews with both Viceroys during the present month, and have placed before them our point of view as fully and convincingly as I could.
His Excellency Hsi Liang was naturally more interested in his new Viceroyalty in Manchuria than in the provinces which he had left, and was reluctant to discuss a matter for which he was no longer responsible. While professing sympathy with our object, he dwelt upon the growing desire in the provinces to retain railway control in their own hands, and said that the movement in favour of self-government which was going on all over the Empire had greatly curtailed the powers of the Viceroys and Governors. This change had made itself appreciably felt during his short stay in Yunnan. Two years ago when he first went there he was still a person of considerable political stature; when he left he had shrunk to the proportions of a dwarf owing to the encroaching influences at work.
His Excellency, however, promised that, if consulted by his successor, he would recommend the project to the latter's favourable consideration, although his information was that the development of trade between Burmalı and Yunnan was still insuflicient to justify the construction of a railway.
With Li Ching-hsi I had two interviews, and on both occasions he spoke with a degree of frankuess which impressed me not unfavourably. He was well acquainted with Yunnan, having been there as Governor a few years ago, and his experience had led him to the conclusion that the time was not yet ripe for railway connection between Burmah and China. The customs receipts at Tengyneh amounted to only some 50,000 taels (7,5001.) a-year, and the total trade, which was still relatively insignificant, had shown little increase since the place was opened some six or seven years ago. While there were many parts of China with abundant population and trade still waiting for railway development, it seemed premature to spend money upon an expensive railway on a remote and wild frontier.
I pointed out to his Excellency that the suppression of poppy cultivation in Yunnan would necessitate the introduction of new crops and the development of the mineral wealth of the province, and that it was essential, if the province was to pass safely through the great economic change consequent upon the prohibition of opium, that it should have new outlets for its surplus produce. The whole question had been carefully examined by experts from India, who had proved conclusively that the railway would be a fairly profitable enterprise.
But it was scarcely fair to approach the matter from a purely monetary point of view. The railway would form a link of connection between two great friendly Empires, and the scheme of construction which I had sketched out would enable China for the first time in her history to form such a conection without in any way impairing her sovereign rights. The precedent which she would thus establish would be a far more valuable asset to her than any mere pecuniary consideration.
His Excellency said that he thoroughly appreciated this line of argument, and quite understood that our claim was one which was entitled to sympathetic considera- tion. His experience in Yünnan had taught him the difference between our methods and those of the French. We used railways for commercial purposes, while the French regarded them as instruments of political aggrandisement.
Finally, he said that he would give the matter his earnest attention, and do what he could to find a solution. But he begged me to give him some time to study it after his arrival in Yünnan.
I promised to send instructions in this sense to the consul-general at Yunnan-fu, to whom I am forwarding a copy of this despatch.
[2317 8-1]
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
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