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(Confidential.)

222

No. 153.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received October 27, 1905.)

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and is directed by the Secretary of State to transmit, for the information of Mr. Secretary Lyttelton, the accompanying copy of a telegram, as marked in the margin, relating

Sir E. Satow, Telegram, No. 190, October 23, 1905.

to the Canton-Hankow Railway concession.

Foreign Office,

October 26, 1905.

Enclosure in No. 153.

Sir E. SATOW, Peking, to the MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE. (Sent 5.40 p.m.: Received 3.30 p.m., October 25, 1905.) 'T'ELEGRAM.

Telegram, No. 190. Canton-Hankow Railway. In reply to a question, French Minister informs me he has supported Belgian Minister in claiming prior rights to the concession in virtue of a written undertaking given by Shêng at the time when he negotiated agreement with the American concessionaires. By this under- taking Belgian Company built Tuhan line, and were to have reversion if the Americans failed to construct. In consequence, Viceroy Chang has been forbidden by the Chinese Government to borrow from anyone for the construction of the Canton-Hankow Railway.

Repeated to Hong Kong and Hankow.

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Enclosure 2 in No. 154.

Sir E. SATOW, Peking, to the MARQUESS OF Lansdowne,

(Sent 11.55 a.m, Received noon, October 28, 1905.)

TELEGRAM.

Telegram, No. 193. Canton-Kowloon Railway. Your telegram, No. 158, of [October 26]. Note was sent in on September 19th, but no answer yet received. Copy and report in my despatch of September 21st should reach you November 2nd. I interviewed Prince Ching on September 28th, Natung on October 13th, and Chu- Hung-Chi on October 23rd. Reports in my despatch of October 5th, due November 16th, and October 18th, due November 30th. Report of last conversation by bag November 3rd.

The sum of what they have said to me is that local opposition is very strong, and that time will be required to overcome it. That this is the case I have no doubt, and the Chinese Government is not powerful enough to crush it by a mere fiat, especially as the Viceroy stands high in the Empress Dowager's favour. I to invoke the influence of Yuan Shih Kai, when he returns from manœuvres, with propose what success remains to be seen.

Meanwhile Governor of Hong Kong has made suggestion to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in a letter of September 22nd, with a view to overcoming the opposition of the Viceroy. Possibly China Association is not aware of the diffi- culties in the way of requiring the Chinese Authorities to sign a final agreement without delay.

I am working in perfect accord with the Governor.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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(Confidential.)

No. 154.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received October 30, 1905.)

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and is directed by the Secretary of State to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State, the accompanying copies of telegrams, as marked in the margin, relating to the Canton-Kowloon Railway.

To Sir E. Satow, No. 158, October 26.

1905.

Sir E. Satow, No. 193, October 28, 1905

Foreign Office,

October 30, 1905.

Enclosure 1 in No. 154.

The MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE to Sir E. SATOW (Peking).

(Telegram, No. 158.)

(Sent 1 p.m., October 26, 1905.)

TELEGRAM.

China

My telegram, No. 137 [of September 24]. Canton-Kowloon Railway. Association represent importance to Hong Kong of early construction, and hope that Chinese Authorities will be required to sign final agreement.

Have Chinese Government replied to note asking that Viceroy be instructed to negotiate with agent of Corporation?

(Confidential.)

No. 155.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received October 30, 1905.)

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies and is directed by the Secretary of State

Bir E. Satow, No. 191, October 27, 1905.

to transmit, for the information of the Secre- tary of State, the accompanying copies of a telegram, as marked in the margin, relating to the Hankow-Canton Railway. Copies

of the documents referred to in Mr. Rockhill's book are enclosed for convenience of reference.

Foreign Office,

October 30, 1905.

Enclosure 1 in No. 155.

Sir E. SATOW, Peking, to the Marquess of Lan&DOWNE. (Sent 11.45 a.m.; received 12.30 p.m., October 27, 1905.) TELEGRAM.

(Telegram, No. 191.)

Hankow-Canton Railway. My telegram, No. 190 [of October 25]. Following from Consul at Hankow:-

"On October 9, Viceroy's Secretary mentioned this matter. He said that the undertaking was that on page 246 of Rockhill's, etc., and that the Chinese Government and the Viceroy of Wuchang had replied, or would reply, to Belgians and French that even if this undertaking, made with- out the authority of the Tsung-li-Yamen to whom it was not communi- cated, bound China to give a concession for the construction of the rail- way, obligation ceased on the execution of American Agreement of July 13, 1900."