Bisbee daily review., 1911-09-27

and in some cases obtained of the Chinese government by foreign in
 terests. and all the various local rail
 way enterprises, some of which are
 of more or less indefinite backing,
 but many of which will probably be the railways next constructed in the
 country.
 outlock Unpromisine.
 In spite of great projects and many
 promising features, the railway situ- ation in China at the beginning of 1911 does not presage the immediate development of the country along the modern lines. Much has been ac- complished. The interes; of the en- tire world has been centered to an unusual degree upon the building of railroads ID China Both Chinese and foreign statesmen understand that the first requirement in the de- yelopment of the country's resources and its advancement is railroad con s1ruction. Railway systems aggre- gating more than l3.400 miles have been planned of which 5000 have been surveyed in a more or less def mite manner. But construction dur ing 1910, of railways of all classes, including extensions of existing lines. further work on lines already commenced and operated to a certain degree. and entirely new lines, has not exceeded 800 miles, and at least part Of this construction must be credited to the previous year.
 Things in the way.
 The fact is, that while plans fer new railways in China are common,
 actual development is proceeding slowly. New plans are carried out with difficulty. modified or abandoned For this there are several causes, most of which appear reducibie to one or two eircumstances-eith ihe people are unwilling that other na- ticns should furnish the money 10 build the roads, and have not the money themselves, or if willing to. borrow from abroad for such work. other considerations have so far pre- vented the placing of the necessary loans under admissible conditions.
 While these and other influences and the general poverty of the coun- try, are preventing the realization of these great enterprises, there is lit- tie, if any actual encouragement for the Chinese public to invest wha. funds they can raise for such pur. pose. Of the greater systems under Chinese control practically none are paying expenses.
 One of the chief features of the present policy of the Chinese govern ment seems to be the disposition 10 take over all railways enterprises which have been undertaken by pri- yate capital, but which have been de- layed in execution. For example. the recent troubles in the Chekiang Rail- way company led the government to| step in and announce that t would take over the, entire enterprise The company is reported to have sent a representative to Peking 10 change the determination of the government, but at last accounts the latter was ad- herring to it's decision
 A Government Threat.
 Similar action has been taken in a number of other cases, and is aas been announced by the board of ccn,. munications, al Peking, that all rail way building privileges granted 10 private interests must be put into operation during the present year, or the government will take them over Chinese gentry interested ia build ing roads with their own capita. find 1t difficult to raise money Tbe fact that some of the railways already l in operation have been i'll managed, | or have been operated under condi- 1 uoHs that render it impr tct!ca9.e 10 1 secure fair returns on the Chinese ] @ 'ital invested in them Is a con- sJaH, Encouragement. While the rec 1 ord of actual construction in 1910 is l not very promising, considering the railways planned and needed, the | for 1911 is still less promis- ing. Almost no new enterprises | have been started or are about to be started, and enterprises finished in the past year or about to be fin lshed will have little or no part in the current years record.
 That present conditions in railway in China can continue is impossible The pres sure from the people in favor of rail way construction, taking the country as a whole, is growing. The demands of trade in the interior are becoming more pronounced in favor of rapid, safer and better communication Throughout China, particularly in he districts accessible to coast ports improved means of communication Ire being brought into use. such as nptor and steamboat service on the liver and canals, and in some local ties, improved roads and automobile iervice. These improvements are ac- the need and the advance 'f railways and public sentiment is jlowly but surely preparing for great