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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :--

C.O. 882

6 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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of the whole question, approached Mr. Bland with the view of ascertaining whether it was possible to shorten the term of the loan from 50 to 30 years. This was a matter which did not affect the flotation of the loan or the interests of the Corpora- tion, although by reducing the duration of the investment it was calculated to lower the issue price and, to that extent, prejudice China herself.

I was very reluctant, when Mr. Bland first consulted me on the subject, to consent to any modification of the Agreement on the ground that if we admitted one change, a demand for others was sure to follow. Eventually, however, I agreed to his entertaining the question on the express understanding that His Excellency Tong Shoa-yi should give me a personal undertaking that no further alteration any kind would be requested and that, on receiving the assent of the Corporation, he would lose no time in submitting the Agreement for the Imperial ratification. This assurance Mr. Tong gave me at an interview at the Wai Wu Pu on the 28th ultimo, and Mr. Bland in due course conveyed to His Excellency the Corpora- tion's approval of the change, and received, in return, an intimation that he hoped to memorialize the Throne on the subject on the 12th instant.

of

The Right Honourable

8586

Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P.,

&c., &c., &c.

No. 330.

I have, &c.,

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received March 8, 1907.)

'J. N. JORDAN.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, by direction of the Secretary of State, transmits herewith copies of the under-mentioned paper.

Foreign Office,

March 8, 1907.

DESCRIPTION OF ENCLOSURE.

Name and Date.

Subject.

Sir J, Jordan, Peking. Telegram (Paraphrase), Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement.

March 7.

Enclosure in No. 330.

Paraphrase of telegram from Sir J. JORDAN, Peking. March 7, 1907.

No. 40.

I have informed Governor of Hong Kong by telegraph that the Canton- Kowloon Railway Agreement was signed to-day.

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APPENDIX.

[Communicated by Sir C. C. SMITH, 9th August, 1904.]

CANTON KOWLOON RAILWAY.

THIS PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT is made between His EXCELLENCY SHENG, Director- General of the IMPERIAL CHINESE RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION, acting under the authority of the Tsung-li-Yamen, of the one part, and the British Firm of JARDINE, MATHESON AND COMPANY, for themselves and on behalf of the HONG- KONG AND SHANghai Banking CORPORATION, representing as Joint Agents the BRITISH AND

CHINESE CORPORATION, LIMITED, hereinafter called the 'CORPORATION,” of the other part. IT IS AGREED as follows:-

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1. That the terms of the preliminary agreement signed by the above-mentioned contracting parties, on the 13th day of May, 1898, being the 23rd day of the inter- calary third month of the 24th year of the Emperor Kuang Hsu, are hereby adopted as a preliminary agreement for the construction and working of railways from Canton to British Kowloon in the Province of Kwantung.

2. That the foregoing Clause 1 is subject, however, so far as may be practicable to the terms and conditions hereafter agreed to in the Final Contract for the Shang- hai-Nanking Railway, when signed and ratified, to which the aforesaid preliminary agreement, dated 13th May, 1898, being the 23rd day of the intercalary third moon of the 24th year of the Emperor Kuang Hsu, applies.

3. That both parties hereto agree to make reciprocal and satisfactory working arrangements, such as through cars and rates in conjunction with the line of railway from Canton to Hankow, undertaken by His Excellency the Director-General, Sheng, and the American China Development Company or their representatives.

4. That on this Agreement being signed the aforesaid Jardine, Matheson and Company will on behalf of the Corporation before named take prompt steps for the survey of the necessary route herein alluded to, and that His Excellency Sheng will make necessary arrangements for protection and authorisation of the surveyors employed by the aforesaid Corporation.

5. This Preliminary Agreement is signed by the Director-General of the Imperial Chinese Railway Administration, who will in case there should arise local difficulties, consult with the Viceroy of Canton to make the necessary arrangements, the said Viceroy will in conjunction with the Director-General memorialise the Throne before the Final Agreement is signed.

Signed by the contracting parties this 17th day of the second month of the twenty-fifth year of the Emperor Kuang Hsu, being the 28th day of March, One thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine of the Western Calendar.

Witness to the Seal and Signature of His EXCELLENCY SHENG.

SHENG TAJEN.

CHUN OI TING.

JARDINE, MATHESON AND CO.

Witness to the Signature of JARDINE, MATHESON AND CO.

G. H. ROSS.