Lord Lansdowne is inclined to believe that,
though it would not be advisable to consider the
it might
principle of Anglo-French financial cooperation
embodied in the Chinese Central Railways agreement
as applying to all Railways in China, as this might
possibly prove inconvenient in the future,
nevertheless be advantageous to admit French parti-
cipation in regard to this particular line, which
would appear to afford the only means of overcoming
the opposition on the part of the Chinese Government
to the construction of the line at all in the imme-
diate future.
In view, however, of the interest of the Gov-
ernment of HongKong in the enterprise, Lord Lansdowne
would be glad, before coming to any definite decision
in the matter, to learn the views of Mr. Secretary
Lyttelton, and of the Governor of the Colony on
the question.
I am to suggest that Sir M. Nathan's views on
the subject should be obtained by telegraph as it is
desirable that Lord Lansdowne should be in a posi-
tion to reply without undue delay to the representa-
tion
547
representation made by the French Government in the
C
matter.
I am,
sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Falampbell
جو
भु