31420
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
RECO
EGR 22 SEP 09
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
¡32164]
No. 1.
453
[August 26.]
SECTION 4.
Sir.
Mr. Addis to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received August 26.)
Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation,
31, Lombard Street, London, August 25, 1909.
I HAVE the honour to enclose text of the telegram as despatched this day to Mr. Hillier at Peking, a rough draft of which was submitted to you this morning for your approval.
Inclosure in No. 1.
I am, &c.
C. S. ADDIS.
(Telegraphic.)
Mr. Addis to Mr. Hillier, Peking.
London, August 25, 1909. RE your wire of the 20th August. The position of the Anglo-German-French groups in the Hankow-Szechuen Railway being equal in every respect, we cannot give the French the assurance you suggest.
As regards the Germans, the consideration for relinquishing their rights in Hankow-Canton Railway was nothing more than a fair and equal participation of one- third in the Hankow-Szechuen line.
The Germans have not any special or privileged position vis-à-vis the other groups. Therefore, in any readjustment arising out of American intervention in Hankow- Szechuen line each group must in equity bear its own share of the sacrifice required. To sum up. The only fair and acceptable arrangement would appear to be the division of the Hankow-Chengtu line between the four groups into four equal engineering sections, in terms of the Addis-Straight memorandum of the 28th July.
[2389 cc 4
4]