RAILWAYS IN CHINA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2601, 8 September 1909, Page 5

RAILWAYS IN CHINA.

BRITAIN OUTMANOEUVRED BY GERMANY. United Press Association —Copyright LONDON, Sept. 6. A special correspondent of the “Times” in the Far East states that Germany, by means of -railway agreements, now holds the key to the whole position in the heart of the Yangtse Valley. Despite the self-denying ordinance of 1893, she successfully manoeuvred Britain into surrendering its position, without showing any disposition to sui’render the exclusive rights claimed in the Shantung and Hoangho Valley. British financiers have been induced to cast in their lot with German financiers. The “Times,” commenting on the position, states that Britain’s fundamental mistake has lain in assuming that the handling of questions involving national rights could be safely committed to the discretion of financiers. America’s success has been due to avoiding this. The interests of Britain and America are not antagonistic, and they may co-operate with the view of placing restraints on the Chinese borrowing propensities. UNITED STATES AND CHINA. In June the "Washington correspondent of “The Times” wrote:—“The circumstantial report from London that American banking interests propose to participate in financing the Han-IKTu railway extension in China is confirmed, though unofficially, in Government circles here and is welcomed. It may be safely assumed that the enterprise will have the support of the Administration in view of the importance which Mr. Taft and Mr. Knox attach to the Oriental trade of the United States, and the well-known desire of the Government to extend American interests in China. It is understood that Mir. Straight, Consul-General at Mukden, has resigned or will resign his post in order to represent the syndicate in China. The cordiality of Chinese relations with the United States, which was greatly enhanced bv the action of Mr. Roosevelt in remitting part of the Boxer indemnity, is sure to facilitate American commercial development.”