C.O.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government128
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[13241]
No. 1.
RECR
YoOP 5 MAY OS
[April 10.]
SECTION 1.
219
(No. 73.)
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Foreign Office, April 10, 1909. PAULINGS inform me that their agent was told by the Chinese authorities of the offer made by the Germans for the Hupei section of the Hankow-Szechuan line. The Chinese expressed to him at the same time their willingness to receive from him an offer without contract conditions.
Paulings have, however, on their agent's advice, made an exceptional offer coupled with a contract for the section in question, and their engineers have now completed their estimates for this section.
We have informed Paulings that His Majesty's Government are committed to support the Chinese Central Railways and the French for this line. If, however, the Chinese accept their offer so much the better for Paulings.
[13501]
No. 2.
(No. 74.)
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
Foreign Office, April 10, 1909. (Telegraphic.) P.
CANTON--HANKOW Railway. See my telegram No. 72 of the 8th instant. Mr. Hillier has received authorization to make the best arrangement he can on the lines of your telegram No. 75 of the 8th instant.
Mr. Bland has been informed that Mr. Hillier has for the present taken over the negotiations.
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