[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[4091]
No. 1.
388
C
[February 4.]
SECTION REC
6486
REG 4 MAR 10
Sir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey,~(Received February 4.)
St. Petersburgh, February 4, 1910.
(No. 43.) (Telegraphic.) P.
PROJECTED railway from Chinchow to Aigun. In conversation with me last night M. Stolypin, of his own accord, referred to the Aigun railway scheme, and said that he was anxious as to the effect which would be produced on Russian economic and strategic interests by the construction of this line. He gave me to understand that a serious warning would have to be addressed to the Chinese Government by Russia. He expressed an earnest hope that His Majesty's Government would take the interests of Russia into consideration, as he feared that, if Russian interests were neglected, the Anglo-Russian entente would be injuriously affected. M. Stolypin added that the action which England was supposed to have taken had already roused the criticism of some people, who had pointed out to him of how little assistance" Russia's new friends were proving to be in this question,
I repeated to M. Stolypin the same assurances and explanations which I gave recently to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
It was impossible for me, in an after-dinner conversation, to enter fully into the matter with M. Stolypiu, but I will take an early opportunity of doing so.
[2631 d−3]
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