10378
CONFIDENTIAL.
Hongkong,
4th February, 1904,
Sir,
Government House,
C. O. 10378
Hongkong, 18th February, 1904.
PRINTER
FOR
USE OF
EASTERN
COLONIAL
OFFICE
No. 88
208
In continuation of my Confidential Despatch of the 30th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that I have recently had my attention drawn to the great development that is taking place at the Treaty Port of Hankow. I enclose for your perusal copy of an extract from a report of one who has recently visited that Port. I entirely concur in the opinion expressed by the writer that the commercial development of Hankow has a most important bearing on the question of linking that City with Canton by railway. It follows that it also touches the question of connecting this Colony with Canton by railway.
2.
The future prosperity of this Colony will depend in great measure on this double connection and on the question of what nation has the controlling voice in the management of those railways.
3.
I venture once more to suggest that His Majesty's Government should secure a substantial interest in the Hankow-Canton Railway and should take steps to hasten the construction of the railway from Hongkong to Canton.
I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient!
Humble servant,
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
Office Administering the Government.