14 Anglo-Chinese Diplomacy 1go6-1920 Jordan,Yiian and Chinese politics,Igo6-IgII 15 this proposal.He did not agree that the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo sea....The provincials are bombarding the Wai Wu Pu with furious line,a British interest,should be secondary to the Tientsin-Pukow line telegrams threatening open rebellion if they yield,while we go down which was only half a British interest. once a week and tell them that they have no claim to be considered a Negotiations finally resumed early in August.At the second meeting government if they cannot bring the provincials into line.There has the Chinese gave Guy Hillier,the representative of the corporation, never before been such a distinct test case between Peking and the three choices.The first two basically nullified the preliminary agree- provinces,and the result,whatever way it goes,must have far-reaching ment;the third provided that 'the corporation should furnish a loan for effects'.22 the construction of the whole line by China herself,the loan being Despite what he felt,Jordan was forced to compromise regarding the secured by Chinese Government revenues other than those of the precedence of the Soochow-Hangchow-Ningpo line over the Tientsin- railway,but repayable out of the surplus earnings of the line'.17 In short, Pukow line.The Chinese government argued that the publication of the the Chinese offered a compromise in which the corporation could lenient terms of the latter would expedite further negotiations,especially provide the loan but have no part in building and operating the railway. when it was made known that the two agreements were to be identical.23 Jordan,taking into account the hostile attitude of the provinces, Provincial vehemence began to subside early in Igo8,partly due to reluctantly advised Hillier to accept the Chinese offer.18 However,the the laxity of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway Agreement.More important British minister refused the Chinese request that the British loan be however,was the central government's concession that the Soochow- used for another project,arguing that the provinces had accumulated Hangchow-Ningpo loan would be borne not by the provinces but by sufficient capital for building the railway.19 This resulted in the issue of the Ministry of Posts and Communications (Yu ch'uan pu). an imperial edict:the governors of Kiangsu and Chekiang were to The final agreement was signed on 6 March 1go8.Compared with the persuade the gentry to accept the compromise which had been reached Shanghai-Nanking Railway Loan Agreement,the Shanghai(instead of between the government and the corporation. Soochow)-Ningpo Railway Loan Agreement24 represented considerable However,the provinces would not comply with this.Towards the loss of British rights.In the case of default the Shanghai-Ningpo line, end of the year they decided to defy both the central government and unlike the Shanghai-Nanking Railway,could not be mortgaged or taken the British.The gentry bombarded the local and central authorities with over by British creditors.The loan was secured not on the surplus angry telegrams.Tuan-fang,then viceroy at Nanking,received a earnings of the railway itself,but on those of the Imperial Railway of belligerent letter from the provincial railway companies.Mass meetings North China.There would be no British auditor as stipulated in the were held in the provinces;the British loan was denounced as an preliminary agreement.The British chief engineer was to be selected by alienation of the people's rights and anti-British boycotts were discussed. the Ministry of Posts and Communications and was to function under The Chinese press,especially in Shanghai,threatened anti-dynastic Chinese authorities.25 In short,the railway was to be a roo per cent risings and assassinations.Wang Ta-hsieh was said to have been warned Chinese property.26 Jordan considered such reduced privileges 'the best' by his fellow provincials that if he allowed the agreement to be signed, the British could obtain under the circumstances.27 his ancestral tomb would be desecrated.20 The central government Not long afterwards negotiations began for the building of the dared not conclude the settlement with the corporation.Sheng Hstian- Hukwang railway from Hankow (Hupei)to Canton (Kwangtung). huai was called to Peking to act as an intermediary between the govern- Initially the American Chinese Development Company obtained in ment and the provinces.The government even invited provincial April 1898 the right to build a railway from Hankow to Canton.On 6 representatives to Peking for consultation.These representatives,how- September Igo5 the Chinese government redeemed the right from the ever,were determined to block any compromise agreement.21 Americans for US$6,750,o00,28 to which sum the British government While Jordan was fully aware that the Peking government was under in Hong Kong contributed I,roo,ooo in the form of a loan.In return great pressure from the provinces,he nevertheless adopted a most for their assistance the British were assured by Chang Chih-tung,then intransigent attitude which he deemed vital under the circumstances: viceroy of Hupei and Hunan provinces,of priority in railway develop- "The Central Government is now between the Devil and the deep ment in the two Hu provinces.39