i.
2
600 kilom., imposed upon the latter by the American claim to one-half of the Ichang-- Chengtu extension.
The relative strength of the three groups over the whole line with its extensions would then be--
Germans
Americans
Chinese Central Railways (Limited).
Kilom.
600
800
1,000
With regard to the Chinese Central Railways (Limited), the division of engineers is, as has been said, a matter of internal arrangement, but it is understood that no objection would be raised to the immediate appointment of a French engineer to the Hsiangyang-Kuangchui section to be surrendered by the Germans.
If the above proposal were accepted as a reasonable basis of compromise, no further obstacle need be allowed to stand in the way of a conference between the financial groups as a preliminary to the joint diplomatic action proposed by
M. Pichon.
London, October 15, 1909.
C. S. ADDIS.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government:].
36392
1795 NOVOY [October 20]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[38583]
(No. 170.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
HUKUANG loan.
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.*
SECTION 2.
29
Foreign Office, October 20, 1909.
[To Washington only: With reference to your telegram No. 116 of the 19th October.]
The American Ambassador informs me that his Government are anxious that the matter should be settled as soon as possible.
I have given him a memorandum assuring him that the only question which remains unsettled is the redistribution of engineering sections on the Szechuan Railway, so as to satisfy the American claim to participation, and that the delay is not the result
any action on the part of His Majesty's Government.
of
A communication on the matter will, we understand, be received shortly from the French Government.
I am sending you by post a copy of the memorandum handed to the American Ambassador.
[2471 2
-2]
* Also to Mr. Mitchell Innes, No. 157..
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