351
for connecting Canton with Kowloon. The importance of an early commencement of this tunnel work will, therefore, be patent to your Lordship.
10281
No. 229.
I have, &c.,
M. NATHAN,
Governor, &c.
GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN to THE EARL OF ELGIN.
(Received 9.40 a.m., March 24, 1906.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 235.]
Mr. Eves has arrived from Shanghai under instructions of Jardine, Matheson to take charge of construction of British section of railway. Has he been appointed as Chief Engineer on terms proposed in Consulting Engineers' letter of 25th January, and are Consulting Engineers sending instructions to him?
TELEGRAM TO JARDINE, MATHESON AND Co., HONG KONG, March 26, 1906.
We approve of C. H. Ross, but insist upon terms Draft Agreement 18th February.
TELEGRAM TO JARDINE, MATHESON, HONG KONG, MARCH 27, 1906. Referring to your telegram of the 26th, we have good reason not to attach importance suggested unfriendliness; therefore, unless urgent and at the request of Governor of Hong Kong, suspend negotiations and await arrival of Bland. It is important that if possible Bland should negotiate throughout. Advise Shanghai.
10126
(Confidential.)
SIR,
No. 232.
10498
No. 230.
GOVERNOR SIR M. NATHAN to THE EARL OF ELGIN.
(Received 6.50 a.m., March 26, 1906.)
(Paraphrase.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 239.]
Referring to my telegram of the 18th instant,* the Viceroy has received Imperial Edict and has expressed his readiness to negotiate.
I have strong reasons for believing that negotiations will be expedited if they are conducted while Scott is still Consul-General at Canton, and that effective co-operation is much more likely between Scott and Ross than between Scott and Bland, who the Corporation now proposes should negotiate.
Please press the Corporation to allow Ross to continue to act in this matter, for so long, at any rate, as Scott remains Consul-General.
10498
No. 231.
TELEGRAM FROM JARDINE, MATHIESON AND CO., HONG KONG, MARCH 26, 1906.
[Communicated by The British and Chinese C'orporation, Limited, March 28. 1906.]
Referring to your telegram of the 22nd, J. O. P. Bland expected about the 2nd April; meanwhile have arranged an interview between C. H. Ross and the Viceroy of Canton, 27th March.
It is thought that Chinese may use every endeavour conclude negotiations before departure of the English Consul at Canton, who retires April 21st.
The Governor of Hong Kong is of opinion it would be better C. H. Ross negotiate until 21st April, in consequence of the English Consul not friendly with J. Q P. Bland.
We are informed on reliable authority the Viceroy of Canton intends to use every endeavour negotiate on the basis of Peking-Shanhaikwan railway loan. The Governor of Hong Kong recommends you to accept the proposal if it should be made, and in order to avoid delay he will press the matter if necessary.
With reference to foregoing, taking into consideration what will be the effect of other preliminary agreement, would you entertain proposal on such a basis as security? Are you contented with control funds during construction and Imperial guarantee? If so, are you prepared to leave it to us do the best possible?
• No. 226.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE,
Downing Street, March 28, 1906. WITH reference to your letter of the 22nd instant, I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir Edward Grey, a paraphrase of a telegramt from the Governor of Hong Kong respecting the negotiations for the Canton-Kowloon Railway.
2. Lord Elgin agrees with Sir E. Satow that it will be unnecessary to consider Sir M. Nathan's recommendations pending further information as to the attitude which the Viceroy assumes in the negotiations which he has now invited.
10286
GENTLEMEN,
No. 233.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS.
[Answered by No. 234.]
Downing Street, March 28, 1906. WITH reference to your letter of the 30th of January, and to the letter from this Department of February 9th, § I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to forward to you the enclosed copies of a despatch and telegram|| from Sir M. Nathan on the subject of the construction of the Kowloon Railway.
2. Lord Elgin will be glad to receive your observations on these papers at an early date.
10937
SER
No. 234.
I am,
&c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
CROWN AGENTS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received March 29, 1906,)
[Copy to Governor, April 3, 1906, Confidential. L.F.]
Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W., March 29, 1906. Hong Kong-Kowloon-Canton Railway.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th March, No. 10286/06,1 enclosing copies of a despatch and telegram from Sir Matthew Nathan on the subject of the construction of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, and in reply to state, for the information of the Earl of Elgin, that Mr. Eves has been selected for the appointment of Chief Resident Engineer, in accordance with the
• No. 227. † No. 226. ‡ No. 205.
No. 209. | Nos. 228 and 229. ¶ No. 233.
1
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
FELELE C.O. 882
9
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO