preliminary agreement.
As regards the line within the territory of
Kuangtung, the Chinese gentry and merchants are now
desirous of raising the necessary capital and con-
structing this line themselves, so there is no need
for the above-named Corporation to raise funds on
behalf of China for the construction of this railway,
This course corresponds moreover with the altered
conditions whereby the Hongkong Government propose
to undertake the construction themselves of the rail-
way in British territory.
Some time ago we received a telegrain from the
Viceroy at Canton reporting that he had already in-
formed His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General of
this conclusion to raise the capital ourselves for
the construction of this line. So this matter should
be gone into by His Excellency, and this Board sees
no reason for appointing any official to enter into
negotiations with the Corporation's representative.
I trust therefore that Your Excellency will take
note
530
note of our views and direct the Corporation to com-
ply therewith.
I avail, &c.,
(Signed)
a