CO129-362 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 53

51

C.O.

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government24967

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[16798]

No. 1.

REC? [May 31 20 JUL OG OF

SECTION 6.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received May 3.)

(No. 83.) (Telegraphic.) P.

Peking, May 3, 1909. THE appointment of Mr. Bellingham as chief engineer on the Northern Railway, which forms the subject of your telegram No. 83 of the 1st instant, is not founded on any special qualifications that Mr. Bellingham may possess. Though he originally served as an engineer under Mr. Kinder he has for long not been connected with railway affairs, having now held for some twenty years the position of engineer to the British municipality at Tien-tsin. The duties of that post he has carried out, I believe, in a generally satisfactory manuer. Personally, I am but little acquainted with Mr. Bellingham.

Mr. Kinder had, however, recommended Mr. Cox as his successor, and the proposed appointment would constitute a grave injustice to the latter gentleman, who stands next in seniority to Mr. Kinder and would be very suitable for the post. From this point of view the appointment of Mr. Bellingham would be objectionable, and might also give rise to dissatisfaction amongst the junior engineers. At a recent interview with the Director-General I spoke strongly on behalf of Mr. Cox, who has, however, to reckon with opposition from the Cantonese, who have a controlling interest in the railway and by whom he seems to be considered too strong a man.

I think that the British and Chinese Corporation would be well advised to lay any objections they may have to the proposed appointment before the Board of Communications. Should they be anxious to secure the post for Mr. Cox or some other engineer at present under Mr. Kinder, they could lay stress on the injustice that would be caused by the appointment of a man unconnected with the railway. Though the Corporation's candidate might perhaps not obtain the appointment, it would be unlikely that the Chinese could not be induced to agree to some fairer settlement than that at present proposed.

Mr. Kinder suggests that Mr. Cox should be appointed head of the engineering staff and be granted an increase in salary, while Mr. Bellingham would fill the post of general manager under the provisions of agreement B of the 29th April, 1902. This would seem to be the best solution of the difficulty, and I am endeavouring to find out whether it recommends itself to Mr. Cox. It is possible, however, that the Chinese may object to reviving the agreement in question, which has unfortunately fallen into disuse of late years

[2264 e-6]