The herald., 1898-09-18
RAILROADS IN CHINA
TO BE BUILT By AN AMERICAN
SYNDICATE
Two Provinces to Be Penetrated Have
q Population in Excess Of the
United States

NEW YORK, Sept. T.-Regardtng the
proposed new railroad to be constructed
| by an American syndicate from Hankow
to Hong Kong, China, distance Of 500
miles Ex-senator Calvin S. Brice said to a
| Tribune reporter:
1.-THE American syndicate believes that
1t has fair do IA for estimating pretty close
| ~ the cost Of the work. 1t has now on hand
| on the property a part OF Sis engineering
| force; is sending as rapidly as lit can be
| equipped, a corps Of engineers ard other
officials, who Will make a survey, begin ming
at Hankow and extending to the city Of
Canton, and thence to Hong Kong, and also
beginning at the southern end and COM
ing north, making an Independent. Line for
the purpose Of securing as good location
and grades and as favorable a construction
as is possible. That work, 1t IS estimated,
will consume six months, and will probably
furnish US a basis for making further calls
upon the syndicate.
THE character OF the syndicate may
best be shown by glance at the Est Of
names. There are in it seven representa-.
tives Of the Vanderbilt interests and three
Of the Standard Oil Company, John d.
Rockefeller, VIM. Rockefeller, and The
president Of one Of the largest banks, also
presidents OF several OF our large trust
compa rides. Levi P. Morton, George T.
Bliss. and the officials Of the Carnegie
S.ee! Company. The new Federal Com
pany will also probably take an interest IN
the syndicate. The contract OF the synd:-
cate is absolute and subject to no slips or
casualties. as the whcte ground work has
been done and money 20 large amount
expended and win be expended. As fast
as more money is needed It VIII be paid in
The cost Of the road is estimated a.
minimum OF 100000 pounds and a maxi
mum Of 100000 pounds, or from about 500
900 900 to 100000 coo. Our best opinion IS tina,
/: VIII cost between $50. 900 coo md $40 900 600
according TO the standard adopted and the
amour. of extra expenditures required
THE syndicate vii, undoubtedly control
the road for period of four or five years,
during which b, is sub1ec. 70 negotiations
which may change ITS character
THE provinces through which the road
VIII pass are the most populous In China,
having population of 800 100000. Two OF
the provinces through which Il passes have
population greater than that of the
United States"
In addition 10 the information given by
Mr.. BHce. 4 may be mentioned tina. the
American Railway will, by having ITS
northern terminal at Hankow, create
direct line from Pel1ing to Hong Kong. by
means OF The new road which IS 20 be bull.
by BelgianFrench capital.
Il will be remembered that the
charge was made that Russia was furn-
b!es in China. 1t Will be remembered tina.
the charge was made that Russia was furn-
:sMng al the money for the road and wa
using the Belgians simply as figurehead.
The road runs through what Is called the
English sphere of influence II was also
hined yesterday by those in close touch
with the affairs OF the American syndicate
that 1t was not improbable that The latter
might own the proposed road from Ten
Ts.n 20 Hankow. IN .he end.