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day by Tang Chao-Yi that in Prince Ching's view
the two railways must be negotiated separately, and
that the Canton-Kowloon line should be taken first
as it offered least local difficulty.
In regard to the Suchow line Mr. Carnegie was
shown an obstructive and uncompromising telegram
just arrived from the Chekiang Railway Board, as a
specimen of the communications daily received by
Wai-wu-pu, and he was begged to represent to His
Majesty's Government the difficult position in which
the Wai-wu-pu was placed by the strong popular feel-
ing in the province. Mr. Carnegie replied that His
Majesty's Government must expect the Chinese Govern-
ment to secure the fulfilment of agreements in spite
of local agitations and Mr. Tang said that he would
consult Prince Ching again on the matter and see
what could be done.
In the circumstances it does not appear to
Sir E. Grey to be unreasonable that the negotiations
for the Canton-Kowloon line should be taken first,
and unless Mr. Carnegie considers it advisable to
presse...