[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
161
Rece [October 22 23 NOV 09
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[38995]
No. 1.
SECTION 1.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.~(Received October 22.)
India Office, October 21, 1909. WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 6th August, 1908, and to subsequent correspondence on the subject of the Burmah-Yuunan railways, I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward, for the consideration of Sir E. Grey, a copy of a letter from the Government of India, dated the 26th August last, urging the importance which attaches to an early settlement of the negotiations with China regarding the construction of the Bhamo-Tengyueh Railway.
Lord Morley agrees generally with the views expressed by the Government of India, and, subject to Sir E. Grey's concurrence, suggests that a copy of this letter and its inclosure should be forwarded to Sir John Jordan, with the request that he should state what steps he considers can be taken for the furtherance of the objects desired by the Government of India.
am, &c.
ALEXANDER MURRAY.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Government of India to Viscount Morley.
My Lord,
Simla, August 26, 1909. WITII reference to our telegram dated the 26th May, 1908, regarding the Bhamo-Tengyueh Railway, we have the honour to forward, for the consideration of His Majesty's Government, a copy of the letter, dated the 28th June, 1909, from the Government of Burmah on the subject.
2. In view of the approaching completion of the French railway to Yunnan-fu, and the detrimental effect which its completion, before any steps have been taken to establish communications between Burmah and Yunnan, may be expected to have on British commerce in Burmah, and British prestige in Western China, we fully endorse Sir H. Thirkell White's opinion as to the importance which attaches to a speedy settlement of the negotiations with China regarding the construction of the Bhamo-Tengyueh Railway.
3. The necessity for this step is emphasised if the report which we have recently received from His Britannic Majesty's consul at Yunnan-fu to the effect that American engineers have been definitely engaged for the Yunnan-fu-Tengyueh and Yünnan-fu- Szechuan railways be true. We trust, therefore, that instructions may be sent to His Majesty's Minister at Peking to make early representations to the Chinese Government in the matter.
We have, &c.
MINTO. KITCHENER
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
J. O. MILLER. G. F. WILSON.
S. P. SINHA.
H. H. RISLEY.
Sir,
Government of Burmah to Government of India.
Maymyo, June 28, 1909.
I AM directed to solicit a reference to the correspondence ending with my letter dated the 27th April, 1909, regarding the proposed construction of a railway from Bhamo to Tengyueh, and Talifu.
[2471 y-1]
* Vide our telegram dated July 17, 1909.
B
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