CO129-325 - Public Offices & Others - 1904 — Page 410

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

of the Hongkong and Shanghai bank and

him to communicate with M. Keswick of Jardine Matheson & Co., who is chairman

of this British and Chinese corporation.

Subsequently Sir T. Jackson and Mr. Keswick came to see Mr. Johnson & me and it was

arranged that Mr. Reswick should make formal proposals. I had said that I attached much importance to the making of the line, that I thought it was a sine qua non that the whole enterprise should be exclusively in British hands, and that as far as possible it should be one transaction - certainly no same company should construct the line both within and outside Kowloon.

Eventually Mr. Reswick brought the enclosed draft, evidently the best he could contemplate at the moment; the suggestions made in it would have to be modified, but that it would serve as a basis for negotiation; and Sir M. Nathan saw him - having already seen Sir T. Jackson - I have attached the enclosed Memo: of interview.

Memo

As to the importance of

the Scheme

Page 407

"I think that there can be of no doubt that it

is of vital importance to the colony of Hongkong and to British interests in South China." The Foreign Office

in their letter which I have sent on with the Hankow-Canton papers say that "it would be most desirable that the construction

of this line should be proceeded with as soon

as possible". We must ensure the preeminence of Hongkong and the bulk of the trade of

great part of Southern China.

As a purely local matter it is of importance, for I have been often spoken to as to the desirability of making

a tramway across to the new railway station in order to bring luggage down to Hongkong. While it would make land in the vicinity

useful for Hongkong citizens. The advantages likely to accrue to Hongkong are well set out in

M: May's confidential despatch of 15. Jan: F-5890-1 I think

two points

are clear

(a) We should keep the Imperial govt out of it. If the Treasury & Parliament come in, the work will never be done. Mr. May in para. 11 of 5290 hints at an Imperial guarantee, which would mean Imperial legislation. We must rely on the Hongkong govt, and Hongkong resources alone. We are not likely to get our object except by

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of the Hongkong and Shanghai bank and him to communicate with M. Keswick of Jardine Matheson & Co., who is chairman of this British and Chinese corporation. Subsequently Sir T. Jackson and Mr. Keswick came to see Mr. Johnson & me and it was arranged that Mr. Reswick should make formal proposals. I had said that I attached much importance to the making of the line, that I thought it was a sine qua non that the whole enterprise should be exclusively in British hands, and that as far as possible it should be one transaction - certainly no same company should construct the line both within and outside Kowloon. Eventually Mr. Reswick brought the enclosed draft, evidently the best he could contemplate at the moment; the suggestions made in it would have to be modified, but that it would serve as a basis for negotiation; and Sir M. Nathan saw him - having already seen Sir T. Jackson - I have attached the enclosed Memo: of interview. Memo As to the importance of the Scheme Page 407 "I think that there can be of no doubt that it is of vital importance to the colony of Hongkong and to British interests in South China." The Foreign Office in their letter which I have sent on with the Hankow-Canton papers say that "it would be most desirable that the construction of this line should be proceeded with as soon as possible". We must ensure the preeminence of Hongkong and the bulk of the trade of great part of Southern China. As a purely local matter it is of importance, for I have been often spoken to as to the desirability of making a tramway across to the new railway station in order to bring luggage down to Hongkong. While it would make land in the vicinity useful for Hongkong citizens. The advantages likely to accrue to Hongkong are well set out in M: May's confidential despatch of 15. Jan: F-5890-1 I think two points are clear (a) We should keep the Imperial govt out of it. If the Treasury & Parliament come in, the work will never be done. Mr. May in para. 11 of 5290 hints at an Imperial guarantee, which would mean Imperial legislation. We must rely on the Hongkong govt, and Hongkong resources alone. We are not likely to get our object except by
Baseline (Original)
i of the Hongkong and Shanghai bank and him to communicate with M. Keswick of Jaudine Matthem of Co: whore is chairman : If this British and Chinese corporation. Suborquently Sir T. Jocker and Mi Keswich came a sale M: Johnson & Me and it was that arranged that Mr Resaick shoil makke formal proposals. I had said that i- attached much importance to the mathing of the line, that I thought it was a sine qua non that the whole enterprite shoreld be exclusively in British hands, and that Jale that that as far as possible it should be one transaction - certainly to same company should construct the line both within and outside antaniton Eventually M. Resuit. brought the excland fuint, entlently beat effe contemplatin that : the suggestions made in it would have to be modified, but that it would Su as a basis for negotiation; and Sir M. Nathan Saw pin him- having Aheady seen Siz P Jackson - I have attached the enclosed Morno: of intaniew memo As to the importance of his the Scheme 407 "I think that there can be of no doubt that it is divital importance to the colony of Hongton and Oto British interests in South China. "The Oneign grice. in their letter which I have sent on with the Hankow. Canton papers say that "it would be most desirable that the construction this line should be proceeded with and soon As as possible". We must ensure the preeminence of HongHing and the booking quot fint of great pot Southern China · a purely local matter it is of importance. for I have been before spotten to be a leading "Hongkong to the deritability mathing mechant as a tramway across to the new fashi in order to bring latton down to Hongkong, While it would make land in the fanity usidrive for are well set out in increasingly valuable as a place of Hongkong citizens. The advantages likely to accrue to Hong Hong M: May's confidential despatch of 15. Jan: F-5890-1 I think two points are clear (a) We should keep the Imperial govt aut og it the As If the Treasury & Parliament come in. TWTO look will never be done. Mi May in par: 11 g 5290 hints at an Imperial quarance, which would mean Imperial legislation: We must rely On the Hongtong gost, and Hongkong by We are not likely to get our ofject except refourses site.
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i

of the Hongkong and Shanghai bank and

him to communicate with M. Keswick of Jaudine Matthem of

Co: whore is chairman

: If this British and Chinese corporation.

Suborquently Sir T. Jocker and Mi Keswich came a sale M: Johnson

& Me and it was

that

arranged that Mr Resaick shoil makke formal proposals. I had said that i- attached much importance to the mathing of the line, that I thought it was a sine qua non that the whole enterprite shoreld be exclusively in British hands, and that Jale that that as far as possible it should be one transaction - certainly to same company should construct the line both within and outside antaniton

Eventually M. Resuit. brought the excland fuint, entlently beat effe contemplatin that : the suggestions made in it would have to be modified, but that it would Su as a basis for negotiation; and Sir M. Nathan Saw pin him- having Aheady seen Siz P Jackson - I have attached the enclosed Morno: of

intaniew

memo

As to the importance of

his

the Scheme

407

"I think that there can be of no doubt that it

is divital importance to the colony of Hongton and Oto British interests in South China. "The Oneign grice.

in their letter which I have sent

on with the Hankow. Canton papers say that "it would be most desirable that the construction

this line should be proceeded with and soon

As

as possible". We must ensure the preeminence of HongHing and the booking quot fint of

great pot Southern China ·

a purely local matter it is of importance. for I have been before spotten to be a leading "Hongkong

to the deritability mathing

mechant as

a tramway across to the new fashi in order to bring latton down to Hongkong, While it would make land in the fanity

usidrive for

are well set out in

increasingly valuable as a place of Hongkong citizens. The advantages likely to accrue to Hong Hong M: May's confidential despatch of 15. Jan: F-5890-1 I think

two points

are clear

(a) We should keep the Imperial govt aut og it the As If the Treasury & Parliament come in. TWTO look will never be done. Mi May in par: 11 g 5290 hints at an Imperial quarance, which would mean Imperial legislation: We must rely On the Hongtong gost, and Hongkong by We are not likely to get our ofject except

refourses site.

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