File No. 1576/9–10.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, July 27,
1908.
No. 969.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
translation of an imperial edict, issued on the 18th instant, directing
that his excellency Chang Chih-tung, grand councilor and member of the
grand secretariat, shall assume absolute control of the Canton-Hankow
Railway.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Imperial edict, July 18, 1908.
canton-hankow railway.
Ch’en Ch’i-tai (governor of Kiangsu) memorializes to the effect that
the Canton-Hankow Railway should be carried through under the
direction of a single policy and requests that a high official of
probity and intelligence be appointed to have supreme control of the
affairs of the line.
The Canton-Hankow Railway is of vital importance in that it affects
so intimately the means of communication between the north and the
south. Chang Chih-tung was in charge of the negotiations at the time
of the redemption of this line and was untiring in his efforts at
that juncture. But during the last few years the divergent policies
advocated by officials, gentry, and financier? have prevented any
substantial accomplishments. If this state of affairs continues, the
consequent loss and delay in the progress of the road will be great.
It is necessary, therefore, that we appoint an official who shall
have supreme control of the affairs of the railway, so that they may
be brought to a successful conclusion. We command that Chang
Chih-tung, grand councilor and member of the grand secretariat,
shall assume, in addition to his other duties, absolute control of
the Canton-Hankow Railway. Let him act in consultation with the
viceroys and governors of the three Provinces. Let him see that the
officials, gentry, and financiers connected with the enterprise
fulfill their
[Page 209]
duties with
integrity. The said official may at all times come to such decisions
as shall seem to him best in view of the circumstances of the three
Provinces. Let all dissentions now be terminated and unity of
purpose prevail to the end that useless expenditures and delays to
the vital interests of transportation may be prevented.
Respect this.
