Lo
41156
622
I am to remind you that on November 20th. 1905, a
letter was addressed to you from this Department enclos-
ing a copy of the agreement between the British and
French groups of "Chinese Central Railways, Limited",
which provides for absolutely equal participation on
the part of the two groups as regards personnel, ma-
tériel and practical control during construction, OX-
cept that the common Chairman must be a British nominee
with a casting vote. The views of the Secretary of
State for the Colonies and of the Governor of Hongkong
were asked for before a decision was reached as to al-
lowing French participation in the Hankow Canton Rail-
way on the same terms as in the case of the Chinese
Central Railways.
Goo
42300
05
In your reply, dated November 29th. 1905, a copy
of a telegram from the Governor of Hongkong was enclos-
ed opposing the proposed French participation, but you
stated that the Secretary of State for the Colonies was
not convinced by the arguments therein put forward, and
asked to be informed of any action which Lord Lansdowne
might finally decide to take.
5
Subsequently copies were sent you in print of a
letter