[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[21746]
618
C.O.
22029
[June 12.]
1
RECR
SECTION 1.
REGP 2 JUL 09
No. 1.
}
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan,
(No. 108.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Foreign Office, June 12, 1909. I HAVE repeated your telegram No. 105 of the 10th June in regard to the Hankow-Szechuan Railway to Mr. Bryce, and have requested him to express the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that, as regards the issue of the Imperial Edict, the United States chargé d'affaires at Peking will be told not to raise any difficulties, and to state that anything which would endanger the conclusion of the agreement would be viewed with much concern by us. I have further suggested that in regard to any future loau arrangements in which they may desire to participate, the recently-formed American group should place themselves in communication with the German, French, and British banks concerned.
I must add that the United States Ambassador informed me of the desire of American capital to participate in the Hankow-Szechuan line, and has requested an expression of our views in regard to such participation.
The reply which I have returned is similar to that given by you to the United States chargé d'affaires, and I have added that in December 1905 we regarded the American offer as having lapsed, and so informed the embassy privately,
I further pointed out that, as far as British financiers were concerned, it was clear that they were entitled to act independently, and could not be expected to do otherwise after what had passed, at the same time, that nothing was further from our intention than to prejudice any obligations or rights existing between China and the United States.
[2317 m)
J