The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18
NEW RAILWAY FOR CHINA.
American Syndicate to Build "a Road
Nine Hundred Miles Long.

NEW YORK, Sept. 17.-Regarding the
proposed new railroad to be constructed by
an American syndicate from Han-Kow to
Hong-Kong, China, distance of nine hun
dred miles, ex-senator Calvin S. Brice said
to Tribune reporter: THE American
syndicate believes that it has fair data for
estimating pretty closely the cost of the
work. 1t has now on hand on the property
part of it's engineering forces and is send
ing as rapidly as it can be equipped corps
of engineers and other officials, who will
make the survey, beginning at Han
Kow and extending to the city of
Canton and thence to Hong-Kong, and
also beginning at the southern end and
coming north, making an independent line
for the purpose of securing as good location
and grades and as favorable construction
as is possible. The work, it is estimated,
will consume six months and will probably
furnish us basis for making further calls
upon the syndicate.
1.-THE character of the syndicate may best
be shown continued Mr.. Brice, "by
glance at the list of names. There are in it
seven representatives of the Vanderbilt in
terests and three of the Standard Oil Com
pany--John D. Rockefeller, William Rookie
Teller and the president of one of our largest
banks; also presidents of several of our
large trust companies, Levi P; Morton,
George T. Bliss and the officials Of the
Carnegie Steel Company The new federal
company will probably also take an interest
in the syndicate. The contract of the syndi-
cate is absolute and subject to no slips or
casualties, the whole groundwork has
been done and money to a large amount ex-
pended and will be expended, AS fast as
more money is needed it will be paid in.
THE cost of the road" said Mr.. Brice,
sis estimated at a minimum of G4,000000
and maximum of GS, 0C0, GOO, or about from
$40 000,0 COO to $40, 0000 600. Our best opinion is
that it will cost between $50, 900 and
10000, 600, according to the standard adopted
CURED. The syndicate will undoubtedly con-
troll the road for a period of four or five
years, during which it is subject to negotia-
lions which may change its character. The
provinces through which the road will pass
are the most populous in China, having a
population of 300, 000,0 600. Two of the prov
inces through which it passes have popu-
lation greater than that Of the United
States.'
In addition to the information given by
American railroad, says the Tribune, WILL by
having it's northern terminal at Han Row.
create a direct line from Picking to Hong
Kong by means of the new road which is
to be built by Belgian-French capital and
concerning which so much has been saiu in
connection with the recent Anglo Russian
troubles in China. IC will be remembered
that the charge was made that Russia was
furnishing all the money for the road and
was using the Belgians simply as a figure
head. The road runs through what is called
the English sphere of influence. 1t was also
with the affairs of the American syndicate
that it was not improbable that the latter
might own the proposed road from TEN
Tsin to Han-Kow in the end.