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Powers friendly to complete commercial neutralisation of Manchuria to participate in the financing and construction of not only the Chinchow-Aigun line, but also of such additional lines as the future commercial development of this region may demand, and at the same time the supply of funds for the purchase by China of such of the existing lines of railway as might be offered for sale to China and which would be included in her Manchurian railway system.
The Government of the United States would therefore be pleased to learn that its suggestion with regard to the Chinchow-Aigun Railway also meets with the approval of your Highness's Government, and that the proper arrangements may be undertaken to make the same effective.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governm65
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[3909]
No. 1.
RECR
RFC 24 FEB IC
[February 3.]
SKCTION 6.
I avail, &c.
HENRY P. FLETCHER.
Papers communicated by Mr. C. S. Addis February 2, 1910.
(1.)
Dear Herr Urbig,
Mr. C. S. Addis to Herr Urbig.
Hong Kong and Shanghae Bank, London, February 2, 1910.
I RECEIVED last night the enclosed telegram from Hillier. The issue of an Imperial edict inviting applications for concessions on the Hupeh section of the Hukuang railways is a different matter altogether from an unofficial advertisement for tenders in an obscure native paper, and demands immediate action.
I have reason to believe that instructions are to be cabled to the British Minister to associate himself with his German, French, and American colleagues in a jout protest against this flagrant disregard by the Chinese Government of our international agreement of the 6th June.
I trust that it may have been found expedient by the German, French, and American Governments to issue similar instructions to their respective Ministers in Peking.
Believe me, &c.
(2.)
C. S. ADDIS.
(Telegraphic.)
Mr. Hillier to Mr. C. S. Addis.
Peking, February 1, 1910. IMPERIAL edict has been issued instructing Yuchuanpu to note applications received from native capitalists for concessions Hupeh section Hankow-Canton Railway, Hankow-Szechuen Railway. Foregoing ignores agreements concluded the 6th June. Failure to protest promptly will probably result in concessions definitely given to native capitalists. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, Banque de l'Indo-Chine, W. D. Straight are telegraphing similarly.
(3.)
M. Simon to Mr. C. S. Addis.
Cher Mr. Addis,
Poris, le 1 février, 1910. JE suis entièrement du même avis que vous en ce qui concerne notre participa- tion dans la ligne Tchin-tchéon-Aigoun. Nous ne pouvons qu'attendre les ouvertures qui seront faites, sans aucun doute, soit par le Gouvernement américain auprès de nos Gouvernements, soit par Messrs. Morgan auprès de nous-mêmes. Ainsi que je vous l'ai écrit déjà, notre Ministre des Affaires Etrangères estime qu'il n'y a aucune difficulté à prévoir en ce qui nous concerne dans cette affaire.
Croyez-moi, &c.
SAINT-SIMON.
P.S.-Je vous remercie de la communication que vous avez bien voulu me faire de votre lettre du 31 janvier à Herr Urbig. Les motifs que vous donnez pour expliquer notre abstention sont bien en effet ceux que j'avais aperçus, et je ne puis que confirmer mon opinion à ce sujet.
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