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PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

6

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

SIR,

114

Enclosure 2 in No. 90.

FOREIGN OFFICE to the CHINA ASSOCIATION.

You communicated to this Department on the 23rd instant a copy of a letter,

Foreign Office, May 27, 1905. dated April 21st last, from the Hong Kong Branch of the China Association, urging that the preliminaries in regard to the construction of the Canton-Kowloon Railway should be pressed forward with the greatest possible expedition in view of various schemes which are believed to be under consideration for building a line from Canton to Whampoa.

As you are aware, negotiations are at present in progress between the British and Chinese Corporation and the Chinese Government for the conclusion of the Final Agreement for the Canton-Kowloon Railway, and I am to inform you that His Majesty's Minister at Peking has been instructed to make it clear to the Chinese Government that His Majesty's Government expect the matter to be settled without any undue delay.

The Honorary Secretary

to the China Association,

159, Cannon Street, E.C.

Attached to 18416

No. 91.

I am, &c.,

MR. W. KESWICK, M.P., to MR. G. V. FIDDES.

E. GORST.

DEAR MR. FIDDES,

3, Lombard Street, London, E.C., June 2, 1905. I AM also becoming anxious, and hope we are not doomed to much greater delay, in concluding negotiations for construction of the Kowloon-Canton Railway.

I enclose copies of letters and telegrams that have passed on the subject as the best way to show exactly what has been done, and I will look in one of these days to see you about the business.

SIR,

Enclosure 1 in No. 91.

Yours very truly,

W. KESWICK.

Foreign Office, S.W., May 16, 1905. IN the letter addressed to you by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on February 17th last, you were informed of the request which had been addressed to the Marquess of Lansdowne that His Majesty's Minister at Peking might be asked to give every assistance in his power in the negotiations of the two draft Agreements for the construction and working of a line of railway from Canton to Kowloon, copies of which were enclosed in your letter to the Colonial Office of February 13th last. On the receipt of that request, instructions were sent to Sir E. Satow to render all the assistance which he properly could to Mr. Charles Ross, the Representative of the British and Chinese Corporation, in his negotiations with the Chinese Government.

As it is of importance that the negotiations should not be unduly delayed, I am to enquire whether the Corporation can furnish Lord Lansdowne with information as to the instructions which have been given to Mr. Ross, and whether they are aware if he has yet taken any steps to carry them into effect.

The Chairman,

British and Chinese Corporation, Limited,

3, Lombard Street, E.C.

I am, &c.,

E. GORST.

115

Enclosure 2 in No. 91.

The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited,

SIR,

3, Lombard Street, London, E.C., May 18, 1905. WE beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant with reference to the Canton-Kowloon Railway negotiations and enquiring, by direction of the Marquess of Lansdowne, whether we can furnish him with information as to the instructions which have been given to Mr. Ross and whether we are aware if he has yet taken any steps to carry them into effect.

In reply we beg to state that the provisions and scope of the draft Agreements to be negotiated with the Chinese were explained to Mr. Ross before he left London and he was instructed on his arrival in Hong Kong to put himself in communication and consult with the Governor of Hong Kong and ascertain that his intended pro- cedure met with the approval of His Excellency,

Mr. Ross arrived in Hong Kong on the 24th March and on the 27th March we received the following telegram from Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., Hong Kong:-

“Interview with Governor of Hong Kong satisfactory.

"C. H. Ross leaves on the 29th March from Hong Kong to Shanghai, thence

to Peking."

In their letter confirming the telegram Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company stated:-

"At the interview above referred to, it was arranged that Mr. Ross should proceed as soon as possible to Shanghai and endeavour, with the assist- ance of the Agents of the Corporation, to privately ascertain whether Sheng Kung Pao desires to personally conduct the Canton-Kowloon Railway negotiations. The Governor of Hong Kong would prefer that the negotiations should be carried on with the Viceroy of Canton, but he recognises that the position is a delicate one, and the question is, therefore, left open pending the private enquiries to be made when Mr. Ross reaches Shanghai. If it is then evident that Sheng would resent the negotiations being taken out of his hands, no attempt will be made to do so, and when interviewing Sir E. Satow in Peking, Mr. Ross will be guided entirely by the advice given him in this matter by your Shanghai Agents."

We have nothing further to report beyond that from a telegram received on the 1st May respecting Northern Railway affairs we were made aware that Mr. Ross was in Peking and in communication with His Britannic Majesty's Minister. We are telegraphing to-night for information.

Sir Eldon Gorst, K.C.B.,

SIR,

Foreign Office, S.W.

We are, &c.,

The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited,

Per W. KESWICK,

Enclosure 3 in No. 91.

The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited,

Chairman.

3, Lombard Street, London, E.C., May 22, 1905.

In concluding our letter to you of the 18th instant in reply to your letter of the 16th idem we stated that we were telegraphing to China for information respecting the Canton-Kowloon Railway negotiations.

We now beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of the Marquess of Lans- downe, that we have received the following reply from Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, dated Shanghai, the 20th instant :-

"Referring to your telegram of the 18th. We have received a telegram from C. H. Ross (Peking). The British Minister submitted our pro- posal to the Wai Wu Pu, but before proceeding with the negotiations they wish to consult with Sheng Kung Pao, who arrived Wednesday last, now visiting the Dowager Einpress. We expect to make progress

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