of losing their concession, the company asked that the State Department help the American China Development Company regain the majority of the shares of stocks in the spring of 1904. While the United States government was initially supportive of the interests of the American company, as the dispute intensified, the State Department refused to become further involved in the conflict. The branch line to Foshan ("Fatshan") and Sanshui ("Samshui") was completed between 1902 and 1904. Dissolution In October 1904, work on the railway line had come to a stop. A month later, in November 1904, the imperial government formally notified the charge d’affaires of the American China Development Company of the Chinese government’s intention to cancel the concession. Despite American political pressure on the Chinese foreign office, the throne allowed Viceroy Zhang Zhidong to officially revoke the concession in December, 1904. After the loss of the concession for the line, the Belgian king Leopold allowed the Americans to buy back company stock in January 1905. J.P. Morgan bought 1200 shares, making him the new controlling interest in the company. Between January and June 1905, the American China Development Company worked to come to a settlement with the Chinese government for the loss of the concession. Ultimately on June 7, 1905, the American China Development Company and the Chinese came to an agreement: China would pay $675,000 in recompense to cover the properties and bonds sold by the company. In August 1905, the stockholders of the company voted to accept June agreement. Company Timeline 1895- Company incorporated in NJ 1896- A.W. Bash sent to China as agent of the company November, 1896- Bash reaches initial agreement with Sheng Hsuan-huai 1898- Bash and Chinese minister in Washington come to loan agreement for the concession of the Guangzhou–Wuchang line Winter 1898-1899- Parsons surveys the proposed route February, 1899- American China Development Company agrees to share concession with the British and Chinese Corporation July, 1900- Company reaches supplementary agreement December, 1901- Company is reorganized, with two Belgian directors 1903-1904-Belgians gain majority control of the company Spring 1904- American Development Company seeks support from the State Department October, 1904- work on railway stops December, 1904- concession officially revoked by Chinese government January, 1905- Americans regain control of the company August, 1905- Company officially agrees to settlement References External links Albert W. Bash papers 1890-1910 Railway lines in China Economic history of China History of United