Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 8, 1908

File No. 1576/12–14.

Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State.

American Legation,
Peking, November 5, 1908.

No. 1035.]

Sir: In continuation of my dispatch No. 969 of July 27 last, in which I inclosed a copy of an imperial edict giving Grand Councilor Chang Chih-tung absolute control of the construction of the Canton-Hankow Railway, I have the honor to transmit herewith another imperial edict of the 28th October on the same subject.

I have, etc.,

W. W. Rockhill.

[Inclosure—Translation.]

Imperial edict, October 28, 1908.

canton-hankow railway.

On the 4th of the tenth moon (October 28) the grand secretariat received the following imperial edict:

We have already, in view of the importance of the undertaking, specially designated Chang Chih-tung, grand councillor and member of the grand secretariat, as director general of the Canton-Hankow Railway. We have inquired of the said grand secretary concerning the plans he has in view with regard to this railway, and he has informed us that the responsibility for managing its affairs has been too much distributed, that there have been too many conflicting counsels, and that these conditions have impeded progress.

This railway is of the utmost importance in its influence on intercommunication. How can this delay be allowed? Hereafter let the raising of funds for the said project, the employment of men thereon, the determination of its policy, and all other matters in connection therewith rest absolutely with Chang Chih-tung, to be administered by him to the best of his powers and in sole responsibility; he must fix a definite time limit and he must determine all matters in connection with the line as circumstances of the three Provinces and the exigencies of the time require. The board of communications and the viceroys and governors of Hupeh, Hunan, and Kwangtung shall give him substantial aid and shall in no way obstruct his actions. All officials appointed by the three Provinces to direct the affairs of the railway, whether in principal or subordinate positions, shall hold themselves obedient to Chang Chih-tung, and if he shall discoved that any official, member of the literati, or business man is wrongfully serving his own interests in the affairs of the line, spreading vilifying reports, or acting in an obstinate manner, to the impeding and injury of the several interests of the railway, let him memorialize against the said individual that he may be punished.

Let the director general and his subordinates henceforth unite their efforts toward the accomplishment of this project, and let them make all haste; thus, by unifying the responsibility, it is to be hoped that the delaying of this important work may be avoided.