August 16, 1909.]
THE ANTUNG-MUKDEN RAILWAY.
STATEMENT HY JAPAN.
The Japanese Government has issued the following statement on the Antung-Mukden Railway Question :-
It will be remembered that the light railway between antung and uken was built by Japan during the late war, for military purposes. As the line was constructed in haste, it was wholly unsuited for ordinary commercial purposes.
When the South Manchurian Railway was transferred to the Japanese Government, the necessity of a connecting link between that line and the Korean system became apparent, and according to Article VI. of the Supplementary Agreement to the Manchurian Convention of Peking of 1905, it was agreed that Japan not only had the right to maintain the military ruil- way in question, but she was to improve it so as to make it fit for the conveyance of merchandise of all nationals, or, in other words, to transform a purely military line into a commercial railway. The existing Antung. Mukden Military Rail- way has a total length of 188 miles and a gauge
of 2 feet 6 inches.
To avoid the construction of tunnels and bridges, for which there was no time, the line was given a wide detour, and many steep gradients and short and sharp curves, so owing to these defects there is naturally frequent danger of derailment. The hauling capacity of the locomotives is very small, three or four cars constituting a maximum train and in some portions of the line where the grades are steep,
or more
trains have to be divided into two separate hauls. The speed capacity of the engines is also necessarily very low, while travel on the line by night is impracticable. Transit between Autung and Mukden requires two full days.
It was to remove these defects and to make the road available and efficient for commercial purposes that the improvement stipulation was inserted in the said Supplementary Agreement of 1905.
By the opening of the Mukden-Fusan Line.
another route will be established for inter-con- tinental intercourse between Europe. Japan, and the Far East generally. The new route will have the advantage of reducing the sea voyage to ten hours, but in order to make the route effective and useful it is necessary that it shall have the same gange and efficiency as the Korean and the South Manchurian Railway systems, to which the route under consideration will be the connecting link.
Improvements which are absolutely essential include the building of bridges, horing of tun- nels, straightening and grading of the line, and the changing of the gauge similar to the Korean and South Manchurian Railway sys. tems. With these improvements the distance will be shortened, time of transit between An-
tung and Mukden reduced from two full days to eight or nine hours and the general officiency of the line will be established. Without them the Railway will remain as at present eutirely unless for commercial purposes.
The Japanese Government, with a view to make the Antung-Mukden Railway available as soon as possible as a connect- ing link between the Korean and South Man- churian systems in the great inter-continental trunk line, entered into private negotiations with China. As this proved abortive the Imperial Government officially proposed to China in January last to dispatch Commissioners to survey the line. The proposal having been agreed to the Japanese and Chinese Com- missioners made and agreed upon a joint survey of the proposed route with the exception of a small section some twenty miles in length, be- tween Mukden and Chenhsiangtan. This work was completed early in April and steps were immediately taken to report the result to the Chinese Government. As. however, the route between Mukden and Chenghsiangtan remained to be discussed between the Governments, the Imperial Government, in order to prevent un- necessary delay. proposed to the Chinese Government to commence work on that portion
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
zones
and the
China, having recourse to her well known policy of obstruction and procrastination, evaded the just and reasonable demands of Japan and raised questions regarding the police authority in the railway withdrawal of railway guards. Finally on concurred in would wholly nullify the provisions June 24th last they sent a reply which if of the arrangement of 1905, and disregard the survey agreed to by the Commissioners of the
two Governments.
That reply besides reviving the questions and raising other immaterial issues which of the railway guards and police authority
negotiations, declared that the work of improve would appropriately lend themselves to separate ment must be confined to the existing tract and that no broadening of the gauge could be permitted.
The Imperial Government, reluctant to take which exist between hina and Japan, confined measures tending to impair the good relations
their action to an endeavour to induce China to
reconsider her untenable position, and to adopt the course consistent with the manifent intention of the parties to the engagement of 1905.
China, however, still maintains an unyielding and unaccommodating attitude which gives no promise of anything but vain and unprofitable negotiations.
compelled to take independent action and, with
in this situation the Imperial Government is
out waiting for the co-operation of Chinese Authorities, to proceed to carry out the neces- sary works of reconstruction and improvements according to their treaty rights and in harmony with the survey of the commissioners of the two Governments.
CANTON-HANKOW RAILWAY.
Grand Councillor Chang Chi Tung has telegraphed to Tuotai Wong Ping Yan, Director of the Canton Honkow Railway, as follows:
+4
During the previous month, Sir Chan Tung Liang Sheng, Superintendent of the Canton- Hankow Railway, applied a few times to be allowed to resign his appointment, on the ground that the present weak state of his health prevents him from efficiently carrying out his arduous duties. Being assured that Sir Chau is the most able man for the post. I did not see fit to accept his resignation, especially as ir Chan possesses the confidence of the shareholders. I desire you, therefore, if Sir Chan persists in his intention of resigning, to call on him personally, and inform him that it is my great wish that he should continue in his appointment. The Board of Posts and Communications has been supplied with a copy of this telegram, and concurs with me in this matter.
A RICH SILVER MINE IN KWANGSI.
took
It is reported that the Tienpingshan silver mine in Kueihsien, Kwangsi, is one of the richest mines in that province, and lately Taotais Huang Hsi chu'an and Lin Shih-chi accompanied Mr. Yung, mining engineer, and others interested, to inspect it Mr. Yung is a son of the well-known Dr. Yung Wing, who over the early Chinese Government He has expressed students to the United States. which he says, is one of a kind not often a high opinion of the richness of the mine
come acTOSS, According to his statement, from ten to fifteen ounces (Chinese) of pure silver may be obtained from a picul of ore, and with 300 miners working
some a day,
20,000 of siver may be extracted from 100 tons of ore. The mining area is very ex- tensive and about twenty lodes have been discovered,
ounces
A syndicate called the Chen Hua ('o. has been formed, the principal interests in which are taken by wealthy Chinese in foreign colonies. The mining machinery has arrived and the staff has begun to sink the shafts. Facilities such as tramways and steamers are under consideration
the Linkuei.
and will be put into operation. The chief pro- of the line East of Chenhsiangtan which bad
moter of the syndicate lately arrived in the been duly surveyed, leaving the Mukden capital of Kwangsi with the intention of Chenhsiangtan section for subsequent examin.securing mining rights in ation and adjustment, and they announced Hsingan and Zunguing districts, as well as a their desire to begin the purchase of the land reclamation scheme in the first named city. required for the railway.
N. C. Daily News.
149
FAR EASTERN TELEGRAMS.
THE ANTUNG-MUKDEN RAILWAY.
Tokyo, August 6th.
Antung Mukden railway, that Japan has sent It is reliably reported, with reference to the
an ultimatum to China announcing her intention to begin the reconstruction of the line.
Tokyo, August 8th.
at Tokyo informed the Waiwupu of Japan's Ou Friday Mr. Ijuin, the Japanese Minister
reconstruction of the Autung-Mukden railway. determination to proceed immediately with the
Yesterday the Japanese Foreign Office published a statement of the negotiations for the work of transformation.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
Tokyo, August 9th. The Chinese Minister at Tokyo called on ▾ Saturday upon Baron Komura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and authoritatively reported that the Chinese Government proposed that pending questions between the two countries should be referred to a Commission for con-
sideration.
THE BRIBERY SCANDALS IN
JAPAN.
1
Tokyo, August 10th. The Appeal against the sentences imposed on officials of the Japan Sugar Refinery Co., for bribery and corruption, has been heard, and the sentences confirmed except in the cases of two minor officials, whose sentences have been quashed.
DISASTROUS EARTHQUAKES IN JAP N.
THOUSANDS OF CASUALTIES.
Tokyo, August 14th. Disastrous earthquakes have occurred in Gifu and Shiga prefectures.
Thousands of casualties and immense destruc- tion of property are reported,
Roads and river banks have been sundered
and the conformation of Ibukiyama (a mountain) is unrecognisable.
The damage extends to Lake Biwa.
The shocks are continuing, and at Ice Bay near Nagoya inundations have been caused by a tidal wave.
THE MONEY MARKET IN JAPAN.
Tokyo, August 14th. The Bank of Japan has lowered its rate of interest.
{FROM THE CHUNG NOOI BAN PO."]
THE HONGKONG UNIVERSITY.
Peking, August 6th. His Excellency Yuan Sha Fan, the newly appointed Viceroy of Canton, has been ordered by the Throne to do his utmost in raising subscriptions for the proposed Hongkong University.
HONGKONG'S WATER SUPPLY.
In view of the unsatisfactory showing of the last water return which was dated July 1st, there has naturally been much public curiosity to learn what improvement has resulted from the heavy rains which have since fallen. The Water Authority has just forwarded to us the returns brought down to August 1st, and these show, as compared with the returns for the game date last year. a shortage of more than three months' supply on the island, while at Kowloon
Where-
the difference is not very considerable. as on August 1st last year all the reservoirs on the Island were overflowing, on the 1st inst. Tytam was 22ft. 4in. below overflow and Tytam byewash 24ft. 5in. below. The three smaller
reservoirs were also below overflow.
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