My dear Nathan,
I enclose a Memorandum, which explains itself on the Canton-Kowloon Railway scheme. It has not yet been seen by the Secretary of State, so I cannot say if the proposals will be approved; but I send it to catch this mail as I don't want to lose time. Should Mr. Lyttelton agree, you will probably get a telegram asking you to submit objections, if you have any, by telegraph, and I will not finally commit you in the negotiations till you have had time to reply.
I think you will agree that, in view of the importance of getting the railway made, it will be well not to raise difficulties over minor points.
We don't want anything said in public until we are able to announce that a definite stage has been reached, as we think that it would not facilitate the negotiations with the Chinese if they got to hear of our proposals from third parties before getting them from us.
Yours sincerely
(Signed) G.V. Fiddes.