861.77/1516: Telegram

The President of the Technical Board (Stevens) to the Secretary of State

Your cable May 6, 6 p.m.43 Impossible to give a correct estimate balance sheet Chinese Eastern. Approximately road owes not to [Page 689] exceed five million. But there is due from Allies six million for military transport. Road has been kept going partly by income from operation derived by reason of an exorbitant tariff, from special privileges granted, from a loan of one million from the Chinese Government, by some relatively small payments for military transport, by the use of Allied fund, and by not paying all of its bills.

Stevens
  1. “What is financial condition of Chinese Eastern Railway and how have its expenses been met during past six months?” (File no. 861.77/1515a.)