[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.1 143
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
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621
[November 28.]
SECTION 1.
Res 7 JAN
No. 1.
Foreign Office to Mr. Addis.
Dear Mr. Addis,
Foreign Office, November 28, 1910. I HAVE to thank you for your letters of the 16th and 22nd instant, with reference to the proposed addition of a Japanese group to the Anglo-Franco-German- American combine.
Such an addition is undoubtedly open to objections from the point of view of its expediency and practicability; and the line taken by you in regard to Baron Takahashi's overtures appears to be the right one.
Should the Japanese Government hereafter approach us officially on the subject, I fear it would hardly be possible, on political grounds, to meet them with anything like a direct refusal. We might, however, return a reply to the effect that, while approving of Japanese co-operation in principle, the question of the form which such co-operation should take must be settled by the four groups.
I am, &c.
F. A. CAMPBELL.
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