cover the outstanding amount.
in the case This,
of Canton, might merely amount to a free gift to
the Canton Government, but it is arguable that it would, none the less, pay Hong Kong to have the loop line built at their own cost rather than run the risk of its not being built for years.
consortium
As to (2), there is the difficulty which we have already pointed out to Hong Kong, and any
such loan would have to be within Hong Kong's own
resources and not open to public subscription.
We have considered the possibility of such a loan
in connection with the current negotiations, and
it was decided that, in view of the difficulties,
any offer of assistance from Hong Kong to Canton
should be, if possible, directed towards other than railway works (7200/26”).
In these circumstances, a grant from the
Boxer Indemnity might well be the easiest way of
making some progress with this much debated
-
Feb 26 Mad espy
To for ith atid.
$ mi circulation with
question. The F.O may possibly produce some objection on political grounds, but we should be able to overcome them. It is certainly the case
that the Indemnity is intended to be used for the
mutual benefit of British and Chinese interests,
and it is certainly the case that the loop line
connection would serve the interests of both parties.
Moreover, the principle of allotting part of the
funds for railway development appears to have been recognised by the proposal to make a grant of five
million dollars for the completion of the Canton-
Hankow railway.
I have already sent an advance copy of this
despatch to the Foreign Office. I understand
that
+]
Sefparate bmuka sur
copy 126.
A.
(
Sao cho 13 giá
492
that a meeting will take place there on the 21st
at which the proposals made for the disposal of the
Indemnity funds will be discussed. and it appears
important therefore that we should send an official
letter supporting the Governor without delay, so that
this proposal can be considered at the same time.
Oft. submitted
Pallutasuck
16.7.26.
We are bound to put the N. Kong
Lost's view fr
To view forward,
Key
much better
.
it would be
that this loop should
be built (or the frends for building it embezzled !) out of the Boxer Indemnity than out
But the wiidence
7
H. King
J. James
at the dump. th. Co very much
shook
in the advantage to
my belief
H. Gong of a through commectin wither
Hankow, or
の
the possibility of
Sulting the loop builts
There is
a natural watershed
between Canton Hanken which
L
must prevent Koffie coming to
Page 510Page 511
Canton from the Hank to live,
The 200 miles or so
of the commeation
sole would naturally bring traffic to Canton go through homes corewhy.
The rica-guild at Cantons have always
hitherto been able to block
any
railway project that would
pewent their bathing nice to Whampion
2 then afforts
are not likely to be
len successful under the parent-
forr
G.G
17-2-26
!