[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(32200]
No. 1.
IREC [August 26.
SECTION 6.
(No. 275.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 26.)
Peking, August 3, 1909. THE progress of construction work on the Canton-Kowloon Railway has been seriously retarded of late owing to the disturbances created by villagers residing along the line, whose disinclination to part with their land and superstitious antagonism to the railway have culminated in attacks on the persons of engineers, both Chinese and foreign, so persistently carried on that the threatened resignation of the latter finally compelled the engineer-in-chief to ask for the active intervention of the consulate- general. The situation was aggravated by the inaction of the local officials, who would appear to have made no efforts to put a stop to the outrages in question, nor were the two deputies, whom the Viceroy eventually dispatched to the centres of disturbance in response to the repeated complaints of the engineer-in-chief, of any avail in maintaining order.
On being put into possession of the facts by the representative of the British and Chinese corporation here, I thought it inadvisable to make representations to the central Government before exhausting all the resources of local action by the consulate- general. My telegram to Mr. Fox, instructing him to approach the Viceroy, reached the consulate-general on the same day as the first complaint which Mr. Fox received from the British engineer-in-chief, Mr. Grove. It is much to be regretted that Mr. Grove did not put the facts before Mr. Fox and invoke his assistance at an earlier stage. I understand that the engineer-in-chief has always been reluctant to impart to Mr. Fox information as to the progress of the railway, and in these circumstances the mere rumours which reached the consulate-general regarding attacks on engineers were not sufficient to warrant Mr. Fox taking action on his own initiative.
I am glad to say, however, that the Viceroy, on being approached, showed himself appreciative of the gravity of the situation, and has taken steps, by the dispatch of soldiers and by the issue of strict injunctions to the officials concerned, to ensure the protection of the railway and its employés.
I have the honour to enclose herewith copies of two despatches from the acting consul-general reporting his action in the matter.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
(No. 78.) Sir,
Acting Consul-General For to Sir J. Jordan.
Canton, July 12, 1909. I HAVE the honour to report the action I have taken, under your instructions, and at the request of Mr. Frank Grove, engineer-in-chief, with regard to the recent disturbances on the Chinese section of the Canton-Kowloon Railway.
On the 7th instant I received a letter from Mr. Grove, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, informing me that affairs had reached a critical stage in No. 2 district, owing to the violent hostility of the country people and the failure of the local officials to afford the engineers and their staffs proper protection.
On the same day I received your telegram No. 9 instructing me to approach the Viceroy on this matter, and I accordingly addressed a despatch to bis Excellency on the following morning, calling his attention to the dangers threatening the British engineers engaged in the construction of this Chinese line, and asking him to take whatever steps might be necessary for their protection.
I have the honour to enclose copy and translation of this despatch and of the Viceroy's reply, received the following day.
As it appeared to me that the message to the Viceroy contained in your telegram
B [2389 cc--6]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.