2664
C. O. 22664
THE BRITISIL AND CHINESE CORPORATION, LIMITED.
Telegraphic Address.
ICA ERIST, LONDON?
1 50 JUN 05
3. Lombard Street, London,
311
/*RINTES FOR I
June 30tk. 1905.
$8
COLONIES
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office,
sir,
. W.
CANTON KOWLOON RAILWAY.
Under date the 15th. instant we were informed by
the Foreign Office in reply to a suggestion we had made that Sir Ernest Satow considered that it would be inadvisable at
the present time that he should urge the Chinese Government
to empower the Viceroy at Canton to negotiate with our
representative.
Under these circumstances it appears to us that until H. M. Minister at Peking sees his way to take some
action, the presence in Peking of Mr. Ross, our Representative,
is unnecessary and we propose to instruct him that he may
return to Shanghai provided H. M. Minister in Peking does not
consider that his leaving Peking would prejudice the position
in any way .
While in Shanghai Mr. Ross would hold himself in
readiness to return to Peking at short notice and could reach
Peking in seven or eight days.
We beg leave to enquire whether you have any
objection to the instruction we propose telegraphing to
Mr. Ross.