[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
751
# CHINA RAILWAYS
## CONFIDENTIAL
[13961]
No. 1.
23 JUN 08
[April 23.]
SECTION 1,
(No. 31.)
Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received April 23.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
NORTH CHINA Railways: Proposed extension Hsin-min-tung to Fakumen.
Tokió, April 23, 1908. As instructed in your despatch No.48 of the 27th February, I have on several occasions in an unofficial manner represented the matter to Count Hayashi.
His Excellency this afternoon informed me of the views of the Japanese Government, which were to the following effect:---
While adhering to their right to protest against the construction of any competing line, as laid down by Treaty, they have no wish to prevent the development of the district lying between the towns of Hsin-min-tung and Fukumen. Consequently they would place no obstacle in the way of the construction of a branch line or lines connecting Fakumen or any other place or places within the district with the South Manchurian Railway.
They understand that it is not from political or other motives that Messrs. Paulings are pushing this matter, but that being contractors pure and simple they are anxious to obtain the contract to build the railway.
[2934 s-1]