New-York tribune., 1898-09-17
chRpE1 7. M. Stewart,
O0us h 326 9th Ave.
0lrAAjoIAIn Estb. 1868.
ULcHVOIlVU Tel. 1872 3Sth St.
AMERICAN ROAD IN CHINA.
A GREAT COMPANY FORMED. LARGELY
THROUGH EX-SENATOR BRICEs
EFFORTS.

The American China Development Company,
an American corporation which has been organ
lied largely through the efforts OF ex-senator
Calvin s. Brice. has made contract with the
Imperial Chinese Government. which has been
duly ratified by the Tsung-li-Yamen and by the
corporation, for the purchase OF sufncent
ambunt OF Chinese Imperial Govern nent bonds
secured among other things. by line OF rail-
wav and its revenue,-;o create line OF rail-
wav from Han-Kow to Hong Kong. distance
OF 800 miles. with branches to such important
provincial capitals lie in the Immediate
neighborhood and with such equipment, docks
and facilities as may be required for the opera
ton OF the railroad. The bonds are 10 be pur-
chased by an American company. and the ap-
plication OF the proceeds and the constructor
OF the work will be under the direction and su-
pervision Of this company
When seen by Tribune reporter yesterday
afternoon Mr.. Brice said:
The American syndicate believes that It has
fair data for estimating pretty closely the cost
O. the work. II has now on hand on the prop
er,v a part Of It's engineering force. and is
sending as rapidly as II can b. equipped corps
of engineers and other officials who VIII make
the survey beginning at Han Kow and extend
ing to the city Of Canton. and thence to Hong
and coming north. making sn independent Ane
for the purpose Of securing as good location and
grades and as favorable construction as is
possible That work. IL is estimated, will con-
sume six months and will probably furnish US
a basis for making further calls upon the syn
dlcate
The character Of the syndicate nay best be
shown" continued Mr. Brice. by glance al
the list Of namas. There a.e IN II seven rep
resentatlves OF the Vanderbilt interests and
+, three of the STANDARD OIL Ccmpany-Jonn u
Rockefeller. William Rockefeller-ard the pres
ident Of one Of our largest banks, also pIes.'
dents OF several OF our large trust connpahileSs,
Levi = Morton, George 7. Bliss ana the oIlcIdts
Of The Carnegie Steel Company Ire new red
eral company viii probably also take an inter-
est II. the syndicate. The contract OF the syn
dcate Is absolute and subject 10 no slips or cas-
ua.ties as the whole groundwork has been done
and money large amount expended ard VIII
be expended As fast as more money is needed
* Will be paid in
The cost Of the road" said Mr.. Brice. rs
estimated q, a minimum OF i4GoOOoo ana
maximum OF fSO0OOOO or about from sZo'-
ii Will cost between S3O0JOc- and S4ovDoVvo,
according &c the standard adopted and me
amount Of extra expenditure required. Inc
syndicate will undoubtedly control the road iOr
a period Of four or five years, during which Il
is subject TO negotiations which may chanse rs
character. The provinces through wn'eh the
road will pass are the most populous in China
having a population Of 3OO000OO0 Two OF the
provinces through which ii passes have popu-
lation greater than that OF the United States
In addition 70 the information given by Mr..
Brice il may be mentioned that the American
railroad WILL by having its northern terminal
at Han-Kow. create direct line from PeKhs
70 Hong Kcng by means OF the new road. which
is to be built by Belgian French capital, ana
concerning which so much has been said IN con.
nection with the recent Anglo Russian trouoes
IN China II will be remembered that the
charge was made that Russia was furnishing al
the money for the road and was using the BEL
gians simply figurehead. The road runs
through what Is called the English sphere OF IN
nuence II was also limited yesterday by those
In close touch with the affairs OF the American
syndicate that IL was not improbable that lhe
latter might own the proposed road from I'e"
Tsn TO Han Kow In the end.