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COPY.
Enclosure.
75
Paraphrase of Telegram from His Majesty's liinister,
Peking, to the Governor, Hongkong, dated
17th. January, 1914.
Telegram:- Consul-General January 16th. Scheme appears to me more practicable and consonant with interest of British than that which Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Agent suggested on behalf of
Quintuple Group.
The intrusion of International Group having powers
of control near Hongkong I look on, with much misgiving and I
should like much better a domestic loan by Chinese in Hongkong,
giving at least some prospect of a solution. Probably control and security offer greatest difficulties and both seem essential.
Prime Minister had consultation with me on this point and thinks Hilliers proposition too severe, demurring to foreign financial commissioner being appointed, but his objections would probably not be so strong to our British subject and he would be, I think disposed to sanction an arrangement which the Canton Government accepted. My suggestion is that the Consul-General sould first approach Lung and ascertain to what distance he is prepared to go
as regards control. If scheme materializes I presume a competent
financial adviser could be provided by Hongkong. Canton has
received a repetition of this message.