New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-17
RAILROAD PLANS IN CHINA.
THE RUSSIAN DEMAND FOR A ROUTE
THROUGH MANCHURIA


GROWING SENTIMENT AMONG THE AUTHonI-
TIES IN FAVOR OF THE UNITED STATES.
Picking May 2S.
The railroad problem is the one uppermost in
the minds Of both Chinese and foreigners at
present. The Tsung Ii Yamen is quite in a
futter over the>recent request. hardly less than
demand made by Count Cassini for the Rus
sian Government. that right of way he granted
the transsiberian railroad through Manchuria
TO either Port Arthur or Ta-lien-Wan. They
have asked for time TO consider this proposition
They dare not refuse without good substitute
and the only substitute they offer is TO
build the road themselves and grant the Rus
SLAMS tracking privileges.
Whether or no the Russians would he satisfied
with that IL a question. 1t is probable that
nothing less than building and owning the road
Will satisfy them. This morning. Hsii Flu. presi-
dent OF the Board of War. in an interview talked
Of nothing but railroads. their strategic i'm
portanoe. necessity 10 commerce. etc. This man.
until recently. has been opposed TO progress
especially railroads, but ne Is Of the few
who have been converted by the disastrous
Japan-China He says he argued FOR buy
ing the Japanese off at the beginning OF the
war, but that Manchus in power here insisted
they would lose face by doing. Where is
their face now. he concluded?
In reference to allowing Russia to build the
Manchurian system. the Mandarins all feel that
this would be the beginning of the end for
China; and how can she avert 1t? Sun Ching
Chou this morning said:
Our country is doomed: we have a few
patriotic rulers but they are so hopelessly In
the minority that it is useless for them 10 at
tempt anything like reform. They the dan
ger coming. urge their colleagues to action, but,
being UNDECIDED and even hated for their advice.
they finally yield TO the majority and retire
from Office to mourn in solitude their country's
impending ruin. Mencius has said. When the
rulers of country only discuss spoils. the
country Is doomed Are rulers discussing
even at this critical juncture anything but
spoils?'
The United States Government is taking suf-
hcent interest in the railroad question 10
quest OF their Consul, Sheridan Read. of Tien-
Tsin, all he knows upon the subject
Last night the Russian Legation gave q gar
den party in honor of the coronation Of the
Gar. The rival claimants for railway
cessions. representing the English and American
syndicates, present and eyed each other
distrustfully during the evening. The previous
evening they were also at the garden party OF
the English Legation in honor Of the Queens
birthday Here. too they watched each other
with friendly eyes, each striving 10 appear
on especially good terms with Chang Yin Huan.
the only member Of the Tsung II Yamen present.
The British Minister, Sir Claude Melon
aid has had d tiff already with the Tsung Ii
Yanen. 1t seems he had some business to com
municate soon after his arrival and requested
the entire Yamen 10 meet him. As none Of the
princes attended the meeting he left his secre-
tary to transact his business. and after stating
his dispeasure at their lack Of courtesy retired,
saying that next time he expected TO see a full
Namen. At his second visit the princes attended,
but the minor ministers feeling they were in
suited because he had declined personally t.
transact business with them at the first inter
view. stayed away. SO the second visit was no
better than the first Thus there IS friction be-
tween the representatives of Britain and France
and the Tsung Ii Yamen This is favorable TO
the interests Of American capitalists seeking
railroad concessions AT their hands.
There is a growing sentiment among the chi
nese officials that they safer from land
grabbing schemes in using American capital
than In using that from any other country. A
leading Mandarin remarked TO an American the
other day: If our people will use your country
men and wealth TO build their railroads. you
may get the money. but we shall prosper and
not lose our country; If any other country sue
ceeds in investing their capital in our railroads.
l fear shall become a dependency OF that
country"
building Of several great trunk lines OF railroad
That from Picking to Hankow has already been
authorized by the Emperor in an imperial edlct
and Wang Wen ShaO and Chang Chin Tuns
have been appointed to arrange for it's carrying
out. The anxiety. however Of the various syn
dictates TO obtain the plum makes the Chinese
suspicious that some undue advantage will be
taken Of the Government If once railroads are
placed in the hands Of Foreigners Then. too, the
average Chinese Mandarin hears that millions
will be paid for these franchises and his covetous
nature is full Of aspirations 10 get all FOR MN
self and Only sell 10 the highest bidder VINO
ever is the successful man mus be prepared 10
spend heavily in presents az wc'i as promises.
Chester HOcomb an ex-missionary and ex-
Diplomat is here in the interest OF some Amer-
can COMPANY but so far has made little head
Wav Chang Yin Huan, ii is reported. disllkes
him cordially and Chinese friendships or the re-
verse. are no small factor in business Of this
kind