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Translation of a telegram from the Wal-wu Pu, dated the 10th instant (Peking time) and received in London
on the same day.
Your telegram of the 9th instant received.
A communication has also been recently received
from the British Minister on this question.
Having notified His Excellency Chang Chih-tung
this Department has received a reply from him, which
reads as follows:-
"The reason that we first went to the British and
Chinese Corporation for the negotiation of the Canton-
Hankow Railway Loan was because we were desirous to do
something in return for the friendliness shown to
China by the British Government. Although the Brit-
ish and Chinese Corporation procrastinated for more
than half a year we endeavoured by all possible means
to carry on the negotiation.
"The Corporation was finally unwilling to come to
any arrangement in accordance with the understandings
contained in the communications passed (between His
Excellency