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down beforehand that whatever country's funds were borrowed there could be no secret promise of the least privilege so as to avoid the possibility of future mis-calculation. This was in fact a policy of nipping in the bud which it is absurd to call secret promise of privileges to foreigners.
The text of the despatch runs:-
As regards funds for the future construction of the Canton-Hankow railway, in case it is necessary to borrow abroad in addition to the amount China may herself provide, the first application shall be made to England and if the British tender is, as regards interest and issue price, equal to the tenders of other countries, British financiers shall have the first option of undertaking the business: if in the above and other respects the tenders of other countries are fairer and more favourable than England's, China will be free to choose the fairest and most favourable and make other arrangements for borrowing.
If the funds for constructing the Canton-Hankow railway have been borrowed from England, then for the machinery and materiel required for this line, apart from what China has of her own making, if bought abroad, British firms and works shall first be applied to and if their tenders are of similar cost to those made by other countries' firms and works, the British works shall have the first option of undertaking the orders: if the wares of other countries are excellent and the price moderate, China will be free to contract for purchase from the most suitable.
Beyond this, if within the jurisdictions of Hupei and Hunan there are other railway construction enterprises...
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