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if the Deputies would indicate the Viceroy's wishes in the matter. The Chinese translation, Mr. Ross explained, had been prepared by a Chinese Official in Tientsin, and while it was believed to be a faithful translation of the original, he could not guarantee its accuracy, and the Deputies would therefore please understand that the English text alone described the Corporation's proposals.
Mr. Ross then formally notified the Deputies that he was prepared to commence negotiations and awaited their convenience.
Mr. Wen in reply, said that they could not discuss details but would read the proposed Agreement to the Viceroy that night and bring his reply, in writing, the following day at 2.30 p.m.
Some desultory conversation then followed, during which the Deputies, whilst studiously polite, nevertheless directed several veiled insults, in strict Chinese fashion, all aimed at the firm of Jardine Matheson and Company.
CANTON KOWLOON RAILWAY.
MINUTES of second Meeting held at His Britannic Majesty's Consulate-General, Canton, on Tuesday 19th December, 1905, between the Viceroy of Canton's Deputies and the representative of the British and Chinese Corporation Limited.
PRESENT:- Messrs. Wei, Wen and Kung representing the Viceroy of Canton, and Mr. C.H.Ross representing the British and Chinese Corporation, Limited, Mr. Tebbitt, His Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul being also present.
Mr. Wen, on behalf of his colleagues, said they had explained the Corporation's proposals to the Viceroy, (though on account of the delicate state of His Excellency's health a bare outline only of the proposed Agreement had been submitted) and had been instructed to reply that since the Preliminary Agreement had been signed, circumstances had changed, and particularly a marked change had come over the spirit of the people, who now desired to themselves build this railway, and the Viceroy was not prepared to oppose this feeling which had been expressed in unmistakeable tones by the local gentry.
In the Viceroy's opinion, the Preliminary Agreement was...