2
If steps are to be taken to obtain that assent, I trust that the concession for a light line from the Kulikha to Tengyneh will not be claimed as the equivalent of the concession to France of the metre-gauge railroad from Laokai to Yunan-fu. The Chinese Government, I would submit, should be told that the present proposal is one merely for the improvement of trade communications between the two frontier towns of Bhano and Tengyueh, and that the equivalent, to which we are undoubtedly entitled, for the French concession is obviously a railway that shall run, as the French line does, from the froutier right through to the provincial capital. Further expert examination of the intervening country will, it should be explained to them, be necessary to determine whether such railway froin Burmah to Yunnan-fu can take the form of an extension of the Kulikha-Tengyuch line, or whether an entirely separate track must be found, as, for example, from Kunlong Ferry via Mitu.
In this way it would be left open to us, when fuller knowledge has been gained of all the conditions, and when the very great importance of land communication between India and Central China at length receives the recognition it deserves, to adopt which- ever track has been proved to be the most advantageous and expedient.
If, however, for the securing of some ninety miles of tramway in a remote part of Western Yuunan we play this trump card of equality of treatment with the French, we stand to find that in place of a considerable section in China of the inevitable Great Southern Railway of Asia we shall merely have obtained rights over a comparatively unprofitable cul de sac.
I have, de.
(Signed)
523
W. H. WILKINSON.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,]
C.
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[December 25.]
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office to India Office.
Foreign Office, December 25, 1905. I HAVE laid before Secretary Sir E. Grey your letter of the 14th instant on the subject of the removal of the existing prohibition against the passage of Yunnan opium through Burmah to China in bond.
You observe that the Secretary of State for India feels some hesitation in accepting the opinion of the Government of India, as set forth in their letter of the 12th October last, expressing their agreement in the views taken by His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and stating that in their opinion the scheme should be definitely abandoned.
In reply, I am to inform you that Sir E. Grey deprecates any communication being made to the Chinese Government unless Sir E. Safow is of opinion that it can be made without danger of its being misunderstood, and I am to suggest that it should be made clear to the Government of India, in the despatch which it is proposed to address to them, that His Majesty's Government will in any case reserve their decision as to the matter being put forward at Peking until Sir E. Satow has again been consulted on the subject.
(Signed)
I am, &c.
F. A. CAMPBELL.
[2325 66-1]
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