597
C.O
21011
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]'
RECR NEGH 24 JUN 09
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[20892]
No. 1.
[June 4.]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Mr. C. S. Addis to Foreign Office.--(Received June 4,)
Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, 31, Lombard Street, London, June 4, 1909.
I HAVE the honour to enclose copies of Mr. Hillier's telegrains from Peking of the 2nd and 3rd instant on the subject of the Hankow-Canton Railway dispute, together with a copy of the reply, of which a draft was submitted to you last evening before being dispatched to Peking.
I am, &c.
Inclosure in No. 1.
0. 8. ADDIS.
Telegraphic Correspondence between Peking and London
(1.)
Telegram received from Peking, June 2, 1909.
REFERRING to your telegram of the 1st to head office, Chang Chih Tung absolutely refuses to accept name of British and Chinese Corporation, but if British and Chinese Corporation can change name, or form new company with predominant interest under new name, we think we can obtain insertion [in] article 18. If fore- going arrangement implies delay, we strongly recommend authorising us word clause in terms of our telegram of the 30th May to head office. In any case, matters are most urgent, as delay is causing Chinese to reconsider other terms of agreement. It is very important to decide promptly, in order that we may initial final agreement if possible to-morrow.
(2.)
Telegram received from Peking, June 3, 1909.
Position most critical.
Chinese insist upon agreement. Must be signed to-morrow, 4th June, otherwise negotiations broken off.
(3.)
Telegram dispatched to Peking, June 3, 1909.
Referring to your telegrams of 2nd and 3rd, our position very delicate and difficult. On the authority of Foreign Office, it was formally intimated to French and German group at Berlin that British and Chinese Corporation would receive exclusive support of British Government Hankow-Canton Railway. To yield now to unreason- able and arbitrary Chinese objection by agreeing to suppress or change name would involve a blow to British credit and prestige on the continent as well as in China, for which the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) cannot accept the responsibility. The decision therefore is left in the hands of the Foreign Office, who have fully We have advised advised British Minister, Peking. You must be guided by him. head office.
[2317 d-2)
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