264
and Governor of this province, difficulties should arise locally, the Agreement should be amended accordingly, the meaning of which is undoubtedly that the Viceroy and Governor shall have absolute control of all matters connected with the administration of the line.
I would further draw your attention to the fact that the present situation is entirely different from the state of affairs obtaining in 1899, and a rigid adherence to the terms of the draft Agreement as concluded by the railway administration is still less feasible now than it was then.
In short, if the construction of this line is desirable from the point of view of the commercial advantages that would accrue to both countries, then it can only be brought about on these terms, namely, that each Government should undertake the construction of that section of the line which lies within its own clearly-defined boundary-that the section within Kowloon territory should be constructed by the British Government, and the section from Canton to the Chinese frontier of Kowloon by funds raised for the purpose in the province of Kuangtung, each Government to have exclusive and independent control of its own line.
This view I duly conveyed to you personally after having communicated by telegraph with the Wai-wu, Pu and Director-General Shêng.
The estimate for the construction of this railway involves, however, large sums; and I have, before taking any further steps, requested Chang, Commissioner of Mines and Railways for Fukien and Kuangtung, to go into the matter carefully.
Each Government thus constructing its own section of the line, it is useless to discuss the conclusion of any Agreement. Working arrangements can be settled when the railway has been finally completed, the lines connected, and open to traffic. At the present time such discussion is, it is needless to point out, premature.
265
2. Instructions are being given to the Consulting Engineers to proceed at once with the Colonial section of the former line.
41110
(Confidential.)
No. 177.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS. [See No. 188.]
GENTLEMEN,
Downing Street, November 29, 1905. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of November 3rd,* I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to forward to you copies of two despatchest from the Governor of Hong Kong with regard to the loan which is about to be raised by that Colony to provide for the cost of the Canton-Kowloon Railway and for the money lent to the Wuchang Viceroy.
2. I am to invite your attention to the 6th paragraph of the despatch of October 18th.
41112
1
No. 178.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
42300
(Confidential.)
SIR,
No. 175.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
Downing Street, November 29, 1905. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant* respecting the proposal for French participation in the arrangements for constructing the Canton-Hankow Railway.
As suggested by the Marquess of Lansdowne, Mr. Lyttelton has consulted the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject, and copies of the telegraphic correspondencet are enclosed for his Lordship's information.
I am to observe that Mr. Lyttelton is not convinced by the arguments on which Sir M. Nathan has based his opinion, and he thinks it probable that the Governor has not realised the exact position, which could not be fully explained to him by telegram.
In returning, as requested, the enclosure to your letter, I am to say that Mr. Lyttel- ton will be glad to be informed of any action which Lord Lansdowne may finally decide to take on the representation of the French Embassy.
I am, &c.,
1
C. P. LUCAS.
GENTLEMEN,
COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS.
[Answered by Nos. 190 and 205.]
Downing Street, November 29, 1905. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to forward to you a copy of a despatch § from the Governor of Hong Kong with regard to the Canton-Kowloon Railways.
2. I am to request that if your Consulting Engineers concur in the Governor's recommendations you will proceed as proposed in paragraph 14 of the despatch.
I am, &c.,
42559
No. 179.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received December 1, 1905.)
C. P. LUCAS.
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 copy of the under-mentioned paper relative to the Canton-Hankow and the Soochow-Ningpo Railways.
Foreign Office,
November 30, 1905.
41110
No. 176.
SIR.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
Downing Street, November 29, 1905. WITH reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton to forward to you, for the information of the Marquess of Lansdowne, the enclosed copies of three despatches from the Governor of Hong Kong with regard to the Canton-Kowloon and Canton-Hankow railways.
• No. 172. ↑ Nos. CXXXVI., OXL. and OXLIII, in No. 194.
DESCRIPTION OF ENCLOSURE.
Name and Date.
Subject.
Sir E. Batow, No. 329, Paking, October 5, 1905 ...
Notes on a conversation with Prince Chipg),
Nom, 168, 169 and 170.
• No. 159.
† Nos. 168 and 169.
* No. 168.
No. 171.
18885
L
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TELEC.O. 882
9
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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