CONFIDENTIAL.
Hongkong.
CONFIDENTIAL
PRINTED
BY
L.STERN
No. 88
COLONIAL
39760
CROWN
AGENCY
OFFICE
Government House,
Hongkong, 18th October, 1904.
152
Sir,
I have the honour to confirm the telegram I sent you on 15th October, of which the en clair version was as follows:-
"What reply can I give to enquiries being made respecting progress of negotiations for construction of Railway to Canton".
2.
In explanation of this message, I transmit for your information the enclosed copy of a letter on the subject from the Chairman of the Hongkong Branch of the China Association, who has been informed that negotiations are proceeding in London with the British and Chinese Corporation.
3.
I trust that before you receive this Despatch, the Railway Engineer asked for in my telegram of the 3rd September, to demarcate lands required for Railway Buildings, etc., and to further consider alternative routes for the line in British Territory, will have left for Hongkong. Otherwise, I fear that even when a final agreement has been concluded with the Corporation, there will be considerable delay before construction work can actually be put in hand. In the mean-time,
The RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
etc. etc. etc.