[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30729]
383
C.O
[August 16.]
9354
SECTION 1.
G2 2 SEP 09
No. 1.
Mr. O'Beirne to Sir Edward Crey.-(Received August 16.)
St. Petersburgh, August 8, 1909.
(No. 459.) Sir,
M. SAZONOW spoke briefly to me yesterday of the ultimatum, as his Excellency described it, which had been presented by Japan to China regarding the Antung- Mukden Railway question.
His Excellency said that, though the Japanese Government based their action ostensibly on commercial grounds, it was perfectly clear that their motives were in When the Antung-Mukden branch had been reality of a purely strategical order. converted to the broader gauge it would be possible to convey troops from the Corea China, his Excellency added, was of course frontier to Kharbin in a day or so. powerless to resist the Japanese demands.
I derived the impression that the Japanese action in regard to this railway is viewed with much suspicion and dislike by the Russian Government, but that they do not see their way to opposing it.
[2389 g-1]
I have, &c.
HUGH O'BEIRNE.