Sir,
Peking,
12th November, 1908.
462
With reference to my despatch No.451 of November 1st, and to my telegrams Nos.218 and 214 of November 10th and 11th, I have the honour to enclose copy of the Canton-Kowloon final loan Agreement as signed on November 10th by His Excellency Tong Shao-yi and Mr. Eland. All that now remains necessary to conclude the agreement definitively is the issue of the Imperial Decree mentioned in Article 19.
To complete the record I also enclose copy of the minutes of the 10th meeting of the negotiators which was held on November 7th.
Throughout the discussions on this matter both Mr. Carnegie and myself have considered it of some importance in the present state of Chinese feeling to avoid as far as possible being forced to make official representations at the Wai Wu Fu in support of Mr. Bland's proposals. It seemed to us highly desirable, in the future interests of British industrial enterprise, that the agreement between the Corporation and the Chinese Government should be concluded without undue pressure. At the same time every occasion was seized to remove difficulties and to assist the negotiations, by offering advice and suggestions. I should also mention that in the almost daily interviews which I have had with Mr. Bland on this subject I have kept steadily in view the principles laid down in your confidential despatches Nos.298 and 298 of August 7th and 21st.
A copy of this despatch will be sent to the Governor of Hongkong.
I have, etc.
Right Honourable
Sir J. N. Jordan,
Sir M. Grey, Bart., K.C.V.O.
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