St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-10-04
Railways in China.

The Imperial Government has com.
to a decision OF great importance-that,
namely, of sanctioning in principle The
introduction of railways into the coun
try. The Empress called upon the
great functionaries of state to submit
plans for the construction and manage
ment of strategical and commercial
lines. Proposals were accordingl,
made by the Ficeroy Ii Hung Chang
and other representatives of the pro.
gressive school, to be carried out on the
conclusion of q de.initive treaty with
France.
Lii Hung Chang is now convinced by
experience that no public work requir-
ing organization and financial accuracy
can be undertaken by the Chinese
themselves. Consequently the rail
ways must be constructed and man
aged by skilled foreigners.
But the Government has natural
dread of the jnroads of foreigners, and
Is unwilling to assign them rights over
the soil of China. There will, there
fore, be strong Discrimination to grant
concessions, whether for making rail-
ways or for mining, except to natives.
But since the Chinese people lack the
requisite intelligence, the railway prob
lem will probably be solved by the Gov
eminent itself assuming the RESPONSE
biiity of making State lines. This can
only be done by the creation of new
department., to be managed by foreign
ers in the Chinese service. this depart
ment to have complete control over the
construction, working, and financing
of the railways.
Fortunately the Government, which
does everything by precedent, possesses
proof of the efficiency of such service
in the admirable organization of his
own maritime customs. Like all re-
forms in China, the customs system
was forced on the Government by the
pressure of necessity. The principal
seaport. Shanghai. having fallen into the
hands of the TAPPING rebels in 1888,
the functions of Government were sus-
pended, and Sir Rutherford Alcock. then
British Consul at Shanghai. in conjunc-
ton with the Consuls of France and
the United States. collected the duties
by means of inspectors appointed by
themselves; Sir Thomas Wade, then
English Vice Consul, being the first ex-
ecutive officer in the service, lent for
the emergency by the British Govern
ment.
This system has spread under new
treaties until its ramifications now ex-
tend to twenty seaports. i may, with
out fiattery. describe it as probably the
model of customs service for the
whole world; the most efficient. the
most accommodating to merchants, alb
soiutely incorruptible, yet extremely
popular. 1t furnishes the Government
with the only portion of its revenue
which can be relied on to come in. The
system has been matured by its chief,
Sir Robert Hart, who has been Inspec-
tor General for twenty years, and has
exercised absolute control, the high |
Chinese functionaries never interfering
with him.
The service contains able men. Mr..
Detring, for example. who suggested
the Franco-Chinese negotiations, would
be well qualified to establish new
State Department of Public Works,
having the same status as that of the
maritime customs. Should the con-
traction of railways be undertaken in
china it will probably be upon some
uch basiS.-Cor London Times.