1914-03-07 — Page 7

INTERNATIONAL INTRI- GUES IN CHINESE RAILWAYS

ment here.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1914,

the British position in the Yang making the construction of the plated. Many other new lines king, Sir Olande MacDonald, pro-Hankow Railway, which from scribed for, 100, at Paris and sze, following on the recent remaining railway links thereby are projected for the exploitation seted vigorously to the Taught what he was fold of the corres 36,000 at Brussel The produce Intrusion of French antorp i et easier.

of Central Asia, soma, f which imen (Office of Foreign Affairs) pondence, war b sed on an entirely of tia ficut issue by guiltiont Pukow, provokes lively com. The fact that the French In- have received the capion of the against conceding the Peking mistaken conemption of the part

dustrial Bank has virtually a-Government. Vladivostock hea kom i no to Belgium because which the Russian Government to build 500kilom, teh bh "If the Lanebowfu Halchow quired 110 port of Pakow and been made practically impregn of 1 sina 1a ticipation in the and Russo Chinese Bank had 300 are.in the north and 200 in railway were a purely. Belgian the right of betterment of Wu-able, but as it lies exposed to syndas upubiste Tungli Yamen taken in connection with this the south, and whin vill bo soon concern less importance might be chang and Hankow with the Japan it may be wrested from in ris, as of the British concession.

finished. 150 kiloss in the "Is he had to deal with The building of remainder north are already ing operated. [The article which follows is attached to the present move proceeds of the present loan shows her in another war. As a com- Minister that the Russian Bank

Belgium, French, and Russia Railway Policles in China.

10

taken from the Far Eastern Bat it is well known that Belgian how much has already been mercial port; however, it has was not Interested in the scheme, all the communications on the will be to by second issue.

satrous war.

Review... It will be read with enterprise in China is largely done, whilst the recent demand of great disadvantages, for it is opraland that an agreement admitting interest hy our readers not fanced by the bath while in the French Minister for a railway for only half the year and can the Russo-Chinese Bank to parqueo he was anxious to give se roon da circumfaces permit only for the wealth of infor some quarters it is believed to be concession uniting Yunnanfu and never serve as an adequate outlet ticipation would ever receive tha me the most solemn araurance, of it."

which the Director of the Russian mali a it contains but alro sipported politically and finan Chengt omising Yunfu and for the Front Siberian country Imperial sanction.

Bank would be able to confirm. It will be noted 1 although ns an example of enterprising cially by Russia. The Lauoaowfu- links necessary to make complete and its rapidly expanding trade Three days after the Chinese that not a single Rouble of it was arranged thahe Belgians journalism. Our readers Haichow railway realises s pat the chain of a Franco-Brigo-and industries. Confronted by Government gave this assurance Russian money was invested should take 10 per ha cannot fail to appreciate the of a long cherished Russian scheme Russisa system, enveloping the Japan in South Manchuria, the Peking Hankow Railway that concoa-ion, and loan, the French verament immense amount of labour to build a railway from Russian whole of China and isaging on Russit cannot hope to setura a Agreement was signed with "an that" the. Russo Chinese officially declares th the pro-

Turkosten, through Chinese the sea... ・・ 'and research which must

seaport in that direction except oston-ib'e Belgian Syndicate. Bank had no share or interest in portion of the first intment of have been entailed in the Turkestan, to Lanchowia, and

"Since the first shots of the through another costly and dis- In Article 18 it was stipulated it whatever, except having an- the loan was only taki up as to collection of the facta here thence into the heart of Chine.

that the Russo-Chinese Bank dertaken to not as Bankere for the about 15 per cent. Brussels, Should such a line ever be built Chinese revolution were fired at

In all books dealing with would be the Agent for the Bonda, Belgian Syndicate. It was the Paris bankers taki up the Under the title of the "Growth it will be purely Russian at its Wuchang two and a half years Russion policy in Asia the fact is bad Article 20 provided that the purely Belgian undertaking with balance or 85 per cent

given.] of Belgian Interests in China," western extremity and by reason ago British policy may beat be the Far Eastern Review, in ita of Russia's relations with France derotibed as a series of nnmitigat emph sized that one of her great Russo-Chinese Bark should be the object of developing Belgian

After reading S1 Charles issue of August, 1913, drew at-ig. liable to become subject od mistakes; principally due to { dreame is an approach to Peking the Bank of deposit and the industry, and the Russian Govern-1

acres.Mongolia vi Kalgan. In medium for monthly paymentment had consented to give the Scott's letter to Lord lisbury tention to the fact that thehroughout to the control of championing the

financial combination which has the negotiations caused by the

Here, then, was absolute proof Belgiau Government its support in the question naturalariess: signing of the Chin-chow-Aigub that the Belgian negotiators had obtaining the concession, for the Why was the Russian overn sigalog of the agreement for the Russia.

"The French are now demand-o right to exclusive Bupport, railway construction of

that a small ment so willing to suppo a con. longitudinally through Shinsi, ing from the Chinese the sole coupled with the steady dis area de bor objection, either got on the blind side of simple, reason with an extension ti Chengtu, right to construct a line frem couraging of all who could have agreed to withdraw her objections the Chinese, or that the latter, country like Belgium could have cession for Belgium rate than to the construction of that line, knowing the facts, had wilfully no possible political object, in openly support what it mit have and suggested that a railway from deceived the British Government, view, and the Russian Govern known to be a propositic of ite Kiachkta to Kalgon be built in

This breach of faith and and ment has said that they could on political ally? The fact-dis

:

Cause of s

"When onelcoke back and sees

the capital of Szechuan province, Yannanfu to Chongto. Signi- saved the situation, coupled with the previously sign-ficance attaches to this scheme od agreement for a

Concession.

The prospectus disclosed that the Board of the Societe Belge clearly established, and the our l'Etude de Chemins de further fact that the Soviete Bulge of Belgians and half of French- en Chine, is now an integral part Fer en Chine was composed half pour l'Etude de Chemins de Fer

would supply each half the would appear that the anxiety of

the line, and share the orders in ing the actual statues of the connection with it equally, while Syndicate had some real founde was supplied by the French and of the money lent, 60 per cent. tion.

The Canton-Hankow Railway Intrigue..

Lanchow to the sea, brought of the French., Yunnan railway deliberately lost and how uspro- from Kokand (Kojend), the term to China. The British Govern-it than if the undertaking had | question again arises, if the kadir forcibly to notice the mat with the other, great Bilgian promising is the future, the feeling one of the Central Asian line, ment immediately demanded com-beenGerman, British or French. Date was actually French, we did important development in interject from Chongtu to Tatungfu der pens that some reckoning through Kashgar, Hami, Saobow pensation for the affront, and in-

it select the Russo-Chinees Bank national enterprise which has for which the concession was late should be onlied for by Parlia to Lanchow-fa, in China, haisted upon Chins granting the The British Foreign Office was, as its agent in China who the This Belgian ment and that something should always been aside for Russia to, oncessions for the Shanghai- however, apparently not en business could have been one taken place in China in recently obtained. times, Thay development was scheme is really mainly Frenob, be promptly done."

fitance and codatruct, and is langchow-Ningpo, Shanghai-tirely satisfied with there assur-through the official|| Frach Euspected to be partly the surprising growth of Belgian and

The Times correspondent, un-looked upon as one of her un Nanking, Canton-Kowloon, and ances, and in the meantime, the institution (the Banque de l'Ido- interests, combined with the Russian, and will inevitably con- like his literary confrere, does not questionable rights.

Pukow-Sinyang Railways as the prospectus of the Loan was Chine) ? Did the Russian Goven- possibility of the en operation act hereafter with a Russian express with conviction the view Russia and the Pukow-Hankow penalty for giving the rights to published in Brussels, a copy of mentsupport the syndicate menly

berein of Russian finance or trans Mongolian railway in the that Russia is the master hand

build the Peking-Hankow line to which was forwarded to Landon for the petty banking profiter diplomacy, or both. We briefly north, thereby creating another behind the development of Belgi in alluded to the significant connec Russian territory and potentially Obins, though, he shows clearly China, the great desire manifested. So here, at the very outset of

In 1898, during the "Butle of the Bolginas with Russian parti- by the British Minister at Bras- the Russo-Chinese Bark on the tremendous steel road based in or Franco-Belgian interente i Concessions" for railwaye in cipation...

sels, Sir F. Plunkett,

handling of the funds in China 2. tion of Russia with the

enough that the acquisition of by Russia was to secure control the struggle for railway conces

With the above official facts carly participation of Belgina Rugeran throughout its length. financiers in Ohinese railway The somewhat fantastic view rights by Belgium and France to of a railway from the north which sions in Chine, Russis employed loans, and after citing instances, that Russia under cover of French construct through railway lines would join with a line from Indo- her Belgian Agent with success oneladed the article with the and Belgian railway enterprise is which cat China virtually north China, and ro establish a through to pull the wool over the eyes suggestion that "The one thing preparing to swallow the whole and south, and east and west trunk route bisecting Uhins, and if the Chinete Government, to that is certain is that the loan of China does not affect the fact stands politically to benefit under control of the Dual Al bring discredit upon its high men and the two countries of the Oficial Russian Group, it will not be purely Belgian, and that such enterprise is encroa Rassia considerably and to work liance. Only the constant vigi- officials, and cause her to lose employees for the construction of the British Government concern the interesting point to China is: ohing on British preserves in the to the ultimate detriment of lance and prompt measures of the face with G eat Britain. How far does Russia Baancially Yangtze and endeavouring to Britain. The correspondent of British Government frustrated The Puking-Hankow Loan or politically participate? acquire exclusive rights in Yun- the Telegraph is more emphatic. those designs at that time. The Agreement is usually accepted as It interests us peculiarly to pan and Szechuan despite an Above all be awakens his people tension was so great that the a Belgian.enterprise by the Chi see that the importance of this Anglo French agreement to share to a sudden realisation of Bish and Russian Governments Dege and others uneoqu inted unique advance on the part equally in these regions." the fact that Russian and were constrained to enter into with the true facts, but French 40 per cent. by the Belgians. of Belgium escaped the notice of The Peking correspondent of French diplomaoy has signally an understanding, which pre- Yellow Bak (the cfficial publics.

Sir F. Plunkett in a com- other publiciste until January of the London Daily Tele raph (Mr, triumphed, while that of Great cluded the Russians from tion of the French Office) in its munication to Lord Salisbary, this year. The Peking correspon. Putnam Wale) also telegraph B-itain has been anything but seeking railway cancersions, tres issue of June, 1000-where it dated Brussels, May 6th, 1899, dents of The Times and the Daily cally drew attention to the subject successful, and paves the way for passing upon the Yangtze valley explicitly enumerates the various farthermore said:

With the control of the Peking- Telegraph of London were then in his usual vigorous style, and the critical investigator to ex-and Britain from seeking condes railway and mining concessione

Hankow line securely in the prompted to a realisation of it by in the course of a despatch amine, analyse and assemblesions to the north of the Wall. held by French Companies in by the Belgian Minister St. Peter-Belgian combination, giving them "My Lord. The language held hands of the Franco-Russo evidence to slow that there may With this agreement still in China specifically says that the burg, reported in Sir Charles line from Peking to th proposed to establish the seaport of a continuation of my yester- not be so much fantasy as the force, Russia may not openly take Peking-Hankow Loncession is Scott's dispatch of the 23rd of Yangtze, the alios, intent on their the midlandt trunk line from Lan- day's telegram regarding Basaia's Times correspondent pute it, in native steps to secure advantages Franco-Belgian, and that the line March, relating to the Belgian original scheme for a through show, (in Kansu Province) at the protest against China opening to the proposition that Russia is in Central or South China, and is built and operated for the concession for the Peking-Han-trank line dividing China and port of Haimenting, on the north international trade and residence a semi-somnolent partner in the can only accomplish her ends mutual profit and equal advantage ko railway (forwarded to me by connecting Russis on the north bank of the Yengisze River, some five cities in Inner Mongolia, the extraordinary railway sohemes through the medium of a third of the Franch and Belgian parties your Lordship) is identical with with her ally in Indo-China, set fifty or sixty miles from Shanghai, sut-official press to-day makes of Belgium and France as the party. This, Russis has appar. The French participation, accor that generally held to me here. about to undermine the position instead of at flaichow, sa original the significant announcement Times correspondent is charitably ently done by entrusting her in-ding to thirofficial French Govern

that the Sino-French Industrial inclined to suppose.

of the Americans who at that time ly suggested a possibility which

terests to others. She has retired ment report, is 60 per cent, and

"Whenever questioned, the held the concession for the line was emphasised in the April, Bank has finally accepted- as 1013, issue of the Far Eastern security for its £6,000,000 loan, enlightenment upon a very im- the sative work of advancing her again is absoluta proof from the all unite in repeating that the had tried hard to secure this con- For the purpose of throwing into the background, and confided the Belgian 40 per cent. So here Belgian-Government authorities from Clanton to Hankow. They the signature of which was long portant question, therefore, we political interests to her political highest possible source that the money and interests engaged in cession in competition with the T'imce discovered the possibilitio octroi receipts. The bonds will propose to sugment the evidence ally and her financial agent.so called Belgian loan and conces that concession are mainly bona Americans, but bad failed, so they of a portentous design un the Consequently be offered for sub. mentioned in the above quoted. When the Belgains entered sion was in reality 60 per cent., fide Belgiap, and that the reason then planned to ssenre control of

The correspondent of the go reported, the Peking city

telegram, doing 80, of course, into the field for railway conces French.

why the promoters of this concern the American Chios Development part of Russia as #result of scription in Paris and London at without prejudice, and in an sions in competition with the When it is kept in mind that had employed the Russc-Chinese Company by the open purchase of

alisation that British preserves the ead of February. The bank

academic manner.....

great Powers, the suspicions of the Russo-Chinese Bank was Bank, was solely because that the shares of the Company on the In the Yangtze bade fair to is paying money to the Chinese

The Chinese seem to have been the official financial institution of institution met them in a more New York Books, market. The be trespassed upon, and since his Government in half million Russia's Alms in the Far East- lulled by the innocent arguments the loan in China and the friendly spirit than did the Eng history of this intrigue and its telegram further opens up one of berling monthly instalments. the largest questions which has

"This means another nail in the the great aim of Russia in the country with no army or navy, Peking was the strongest sup-magnates, who (they say) sought d in Chinese railway history. It is generally conceded iba that Belgium was only a small Russian Charge d'Affaires in list local Banks and commercial success is familiar to all intereste yet entered the polemical sphere collin enclosing Britain's los Far East has long been and is to and whose only interest was to porter of the Connected with international rail-prestige in China. Not only has obtain an icn free port as an find an outlet for her manu in forcing

syndicate to exclude the Belgians from The Belgian agente quietly, pur. the Inap, participation in the distribu- chased the shares on the open way activity in China were attempting to keep up an impos-Siberia vnd Central Asia, ducts. The Chinese fully beli tha: the Russians also had a fair It is thus seen that the Belgian American shareholders, and when the policy of Sir Edward Grey in outlet for her immense territories faatarors of iron and steel pro through it becomes apparent tion of Chinese Concessions, market from the unsuspecting duce it with the object of thing sible monopoly disgusted all Checked in her designs, to find a eved these statements, even when participation in the syndicate authorities all niited to uphold they had secured control stock of it as the pog upon which to bank British enterprise and made Eng: way through Persia to the Persian the real truth was pointed out to At all events it is clearly emphs the bona file Belgian character the stock; sesutand the direction argument which it is competent lish representatives report home Gulf, and forced back in her hom, and despite all warninge sized that the Belgians had noted of the Syndicate, and justify the of the company and the work in to use to demonstrates the uselessness of their activities advance on India, she was sustained their confidence, in as the agents of France and connection with the official Rus China. The American engineers union of purpose: and interests bat, in addition, under cover, of compelled to seek the caflet at the the honeyed words of the Belgian Russia in securing the concession, sian Bank. The French Govern- were discharged and applanted which deduction can prove to exist between Belgium, Franos an embargo on British enterprises eastern end of her great empire promoters. and Jalling the suspicions of ment, however, had nothing to by Belgians, and the latter under

Franco-Belgian agents have

the statement that the Belgiana

Review.

:

Latid :--

小

',

and Russia in their railway secured the richest prizes. By the Siberian railway, and the con- ever appears to have entertained the true character of the syadi Book (Chine, Jain Octobre 1900, the line.

at Vladivostock. The history of The British Government, bow- Great Britain and the Chinese to conceal, and in the French Yellow took the work of constregii za

policies in China. The Times far the most important is the cession for the Chinese Eastern no illusions at that time as to the cate. It is clear, in view of the pp. 23-27) gives the official French correspondent says:-

Haimenting, on the

.com

the

"The belief is current that the double trunk railway which the line through Manchuria is com-real character of the Belgian facts made public in this case, version of the status of the The Chinese became Glarmed Chinese are about to consent to Belgian agents, acting for a mon history, as is also the requel syndicates seeking concessions that the Russian interest in the Syndicate as follows: The na they awoke to the fact that so important alteration in the Franco-Belgo Russian

which gave to Russia the railway in China, and clearly air Peking-Hankow line is desper Sociste d'Etudes de Chemins do the Belgians had become masters fligament of the Belgian trunk bination, secured last summer, from Harbin to Port Arthur and the

is now

hand of Russia in than appears on the surface, and Her en Chine," a Franco-Belgian of a dangerous situation, and that railway between Lanchorfu and and which

being the lease of the Lisotung Penins the negotiations for the Peking that China willingly or unwill-syndicate in which the French the control of the through strank Haiohow. Halchow proving: on actively built from the ex- aulu.

Hankow linea railway which ingly played into the hands of the element is represented by the big line from Peking to Canton was examination unsuitable as a part to the Yangtze estuary, reaching

freme north-western part of Ohioa The war with Japan, which would admit Russia into the Yang Belgian, and had to pay the financial establishments of Paris liable to fall in the hands of the the Chinese are being pressed the sea, not at Haichow, as origin wrested from Russia the fruits of teze valley without ostentation, price for the deception to the and the big metallurgical indus- Rasians and their French allies. to agree to allow the railway, after crossing the Tienteia Fako orally scheduled for the purpose of her diplomatic victory, and com- Ass inatter of fact the most power. British Minister tries of France, has received a The Chinese, urged by interested Some interesting sidelights ore concession of a railway from parties, demanded the cancella Dear the Shungtung horder, bluffing, but at Haimenting, an palled her to relinquish the ful supporter of the Belgian

anchorage on the north bank of Liaotang Peninsula and the South syndicate was the then Russian thrown on the exact status of the Peking to Hankow. The two tion of the American concession, province to Harmonais, dan gin the Yangieze, 70 miles from Manchuria Railway to Japan, and Charge d'Affaires (M. Pavloff) in Societe d'Etudes de Chemins de contracts relating to this line, for and although the firm of J.P. northern bank of the Yangtaze Shanghai, which has already been which doprived her of the use of The then British Minister at Fe various official publications of the 20th of June, 1898. The the shares to regain the control

Peking, and the French Minister, Fern Chine, by reference to a loan end for operating, are dated Morgan & Company repurcha strategic purposes, compelled beef, masledion the Chinese Eastern Railway for

British and French line will have an Gove ample about (250 kilometern Chinese, insisted on, the cancel

extension in the hands of Americana, the to seek other means to regain ber lost position,

Thedo new projects are fully The British Blus Book for is being built and will be operat lation sa a penalty for tus bredch Hardly had the inkillried upon issue of the Fat Boston Review: Communication from Sir Charles the murdal profit and equal to the professed desires of the described in the September, 1919, 90on page 61, reproduced fed by the Spointe d'Etades for of faith, and Americe, deferring the Portsmouth Treaty, than the Under date of April 23. Scott to the Marquis of Salisbury, advantage of the French, and Chinese to construct the line with From Tatung, in Slopei, Bussian Government authorized 1899, Sir Charles Scott dated St. Petersburgh, March Belgian partiça... us aspect of the ques The presont limit of the the double-tracking of the Siberian and Count Mouravieff, Russian 23,

their own fands, finally aesented ortance compared with the listerne branch of the railway and granted the appro- Minister for Foreign an followe

1809, which reads

The loan to be floated is to hand the concession back ato cot of the catablishment of Belgian trunk line to autono priation for the construction of Affairs, exchanged notes wherein is

My Lod. The Belgian Mi, 112,500,000 francs. It has been Chins, in return for 36,500,000 terminus of what muel

det monddogolin is only a few the Amur lines. These works Great Britain engaged horself not nister referring yesterday to the agreed that the French financial borrowed from behindano by the longest railway

hundred miles, and the entire have been sotively pushed ahead no to seek any alway conced-race facation of Parlistan share shall be three-fifths, that Gormed from the strength of Russian diplomacy is in the last four years, Bions to the north of the Great at a new port, actually therefore concentrated on fwin- the Amur, line is nearing com, touséakurailway concessions in said to me that he understood J88ue of 1331000-1500 over to British interests the rights.

Wall, while Russia undertook not tory Papers on Affairs in China of Belgium two-fifths, Afirst the Xanglege within a stone's hrow of the greatest emporium of the independent golian ing of the Siberian railway is undertook not obstrupt each other account of our opposition to the

ning from China a demarcation plotion, while the double, track the basin of the Yangtze Both they contained aninteresting ranes 0 per cent, was made Barrended by the An for British rade in, thu

boundary as for coath se Pušt, So definite, a challenge of

about seventy-five per cent. com the respective anh

Belgian concamion for the Poking.

small port within fifty miles of this is the point at which

surveyed. Shanghai.

"The change involves the con

Russia will" allimately debouch apon the Yellow Sea onless some struction of a line parallel to the Power other than Bbgland infer

jush esotipp of th Tientsin

venes. to affect the

the

however, ia di minor

And

ong cong

Government and virtually nanded

Paris and Brarels on April 19,

(To be Continued on Ma

1899, 226,800 bonda were sub-

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