71

interests. The correspondence also suggests

the necessity of steps being taken to stop

this transfer which, apart from being antagonistic to British interests in Southern

China is apparently not looked upon with

favour by the Chinese Government, from fear

that it may result in weakening Chinese

Sovereignty in the control of the railway.

2

I am also to enclose

a copy of a confidential despatch from the Acting Governor as to a possible Concession for Construction of

the

railway from Chinking on the Yangtze to the Hang Sang frontier.

b

3. With regard to the remaining paragraphs of your letter dealing with the construction of a railway between Hong Kong and

Canton, I am to request you to inform Lord

Lansdowne that proposals recently received

from the British and Chinese Corporation are

now under consideration and Mr Lyttelton will

communicate further with his lordship on

this subject. The proposals include one for

a Three per cent guarantee for the railway

and, as at present advised, Mr Lyttelton

contemplates

No 12

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