The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-25
CHINA WAKES UP.
Railroad Concessions Granted Right
and Left

ana ASIC-
New York, July 25.-The Tribune pub
fishes the following from the corre-
spondent at Picking, China.
The railroad situation in China is
rapidly improving. Conservatism has
apparently been at last thrown over
board and the government is dealing
out contracts and concessions with al
most a reckless hand. The only COM
pIeted line in the epire is that from
Picking to Shanghai-Kuan, via Tisen
Tsin, a distance of about $50 miles, but
the road from Picking to HankOw,
known as the Lu-Han railway, because
it connects with the Peking- Tien-Tsin
line at Lu-KOW bridge is being pushed
forward as rapidly as the rails can be
furnished by the Han-Yan Iron works
at HankOw.
The private lines SO far authorized are
the Han-Kuang line from Han-Kow to
Canton, a valuable concession, which
has been granted to the American
York Then there is a concession
granted to DR. Yung Wing to procure
foreign capital and build a trunk line
from Tien-Tsin to Shanghai. This line
will ultimately be the best venture
in China.
The latest road authorized is that
granted to the RussO-Chinese bank.
This road runs from Tai Yuan-Fu, the
capital of the rich province Of Shansi,
to Chang-Ting-F on the Lu-Han line,
thus connecting with the trunk line
south.
But of far more Importance than the
mere granting of railroad concessions,
as showing the spirit of progress
awakened is the recent industrial con-
cession to the AnglO-ItaIian syndicate.
represented at Picking by ChevalierLuz-
zatti. This, the first industrial conces-
sion to be sealed in the Tsung-li- amen
with the great seal of the foreign office.
grants to the AnglO-Itauan syndicate
exclusive rights to the immense coal
and iron beds that exist in southern and
central Shansi, with the right to build
railways and cut canals to naVigable
rivers. A year ago a famous Russian
traveller published his observations on
this particular field, which he charac-
terized as being the richest in iron and
coal of all spots in the world. The ar
ticle was published in The Kobe Chron-
icle OF January 8, 1898.
The Pacific coast will in a few years,
if properly encouraged be the market
for vast trade with China and with
a hold upon the eastern world such as
Manila would give, America with Eng
land could command the commercial
control of Chinese ports.
If Russia and Germany are allowed to
pursue the exclusive and selfish policy
of personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, as so far
set forth in their occupation of Port
Arthur and KiaO Chau, with control OF
large portions of Chinese territory, to
the exclusion of other nations, Ameri-
can commerce must suffer. EnSIsh
sentiment, so long criticisIng America.
every move, has at last, owing to their
own danger from isolation, turned in
favor of America and one now hears
nothing from Englshmen in the east
but the great advantages OF an Anglo
Saxon alliance or at least an Identical
policy on commercial lines, that would
prevent Russia or Germany from ex-
| Guiding any part of China from the
rest of the world. The AnglO-ItallaIl
syndicate has secured the banner min
| ing province of China and it's working
! field and proposes to use machinery ana
| land. Other provinces and other con-
| cessions will follow