CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905 — Page 313

2664

C. O. 22664

THE BRITISIL AND CHINESE CORPORATION, LIMITED.

Telegraphic Address.

ICA ERIST, LONDON?

1 50 JUN 05

3. Lombard Street, London,

311

/*RINTES FOR I

June 30tk. 1905.

$8

COLONIES

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

sir,

. W.

CANTON KOWLOON RAILWAY.

Under date the 15th. instant we were informed by

the Foreign Office in reply to a suggestion we had made that Sir Ernest Satow considered that it would be inadvisable at

the present time that he should urge the Chinese Government

to empower the Viceroy at Canton to negotiate with our

representative.

Under these circumstances it appears to us that until H. M. Minister at Peking sees his way to take some

action, the presence in Peking of Mr. Ross, our Representative,

is unnecessary and we propose to instruct him that he may

return to Shanghai provided H. M. Minister in Peking does not

consider that his leaving Peking would prejudice the position

in any way .

While in Shanghai Mr. Ross would hold himself in

readiness to return to Peking at short notice and could reach

Peking in seven or eight days.

We beg leave to enquire whether you have any

objection to the instruction we propose telegraphing to

Mr. Ross.