COPY.
Copy to: Mr. Beale,
Mr. Phillips,
D.M. Nanking.
OFFICE OF COMMERCIAL BECK.
ASIATIC BUILDING,
24-32 QUEEN'S ROAD.
HONGKONG.
14th July, 1934.
76
Dear Sir Alexander,
With reference to my despatch No.32 of the 13th
July regarding the Canton-Kowloon Railway agreement nego-
tiations I learn from the Crown Solicitor in confidence
that a day or two before the Conference commenced Kr.
Chang Wei Ts'u approached Mr. W.J. Keswick of Messrs.
Jardine Matheson & Co. and stated to him in effect that
they were out to get a 20, British and 80 Chinese ratio
for through traffic receipts and that the achievement of
their object would ensure the rapid paying offof the rail-
way loan in which Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. were in-
terested. I understand that Mr. Keswick reported this
to the Colonial Secretary. It would appear, therefore,
that the Chinese delegates have gone far in suggesting a
27,1/2% British and 72,1/3 Chinese division. On the
other hand I feel that the suggestions made by the British
delegates are very good as (a) they make considerable con-
cessions to the Chinese and (b) they are calculated to af-
ford a premium to the Chi ese for any effort which they
may make to increase the down traffic.
I asked the Colonial Secretary if they would be
telegraphing the position to you. He said he did not
think it was necessary but would let me know later.
In the meantime Mr.Chang Wei Ta'u has asked for
a meeting of the Conference this morning. Should there
be any developments I will report further.
Yours sincerely,
The Hon.Sir Alexander H.G.Cadogan
sd.) G.C.PELHAM.
K.C.M.G.,C.B.,
His Majesty's Minister,
PEKING.