34
From Governor Hongkong
LTX
To Secretary of State
27/10/06
11.50 a.m.
Canto Koulon Railway. My telegram of six was 28th. The draft of final Loan agreement is now awaiting my concurrence. It introduces Article 17 of earlier printed draft agreement, which is important. It provides for the junction
and the subsequent joint working of the two Railways being negotiated between His Viceroy of Canton and myself but it does not stipulate for such negotiations being started within a specified time, and it makes no reference to connection with the Canton Hankow Railway. I am not satisfied with these conditions but Sir F. Jordan assures me
these terms
are the best he can get and in the circumstances I propose to concur.
Please keep approval
Nathan
LX
From Governor Hongkong
To J.B. Minishu Peking Sent 1.55 pm. 27/10/06
264 October. Article 18 should be
Your dispatch of 13 and telegram of modification by the substitution of the following for the last four words after "respectively": "and the subsequent working of the two sections shall be arranged by agreement between the Viceroy of Canton and the Governor of Hongkong." The present wording is likely to lead to delay and long disputations. Subject to the above alteration and to the approval of His Majesty's State for the Colonies for which telegraphing I wish concurrence.
I have
Nathan
LXI
From J.B. Minishu Peking
(Received 3.45 pm 28/10/06)
To Governor Hongkong (Received 5:15 pm, 29/10/06)
Your telegram 27th October. The first meeting at which the draft agreement should be signed is fixed for October 31st and any postponement on our side might wreck the negotiations and must if possible be avoided. Tony Clark will be made to secure the situation you desire this. I should be in a position to allow Mr. Bland to sign in case the Chinese not object to Kupuis time being given in my telegram of 25th October
3
Jordan.