CO129-337 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1906 — Page 272

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

ISOLATION.

Sir,

268

Viceroy to Dr. Scott.

CANTON, 6 January, 1906.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th instant regarding the Canton-Samshui Railway, recapitulating the instructions you received from H.B.M. Minister in Peking.

With reference to this Railway, it was decided that it should be built by British merchants on behalf of China. Sheng, the Director-General of the Railway Administration, only entered into a Draft Agreement with the Representative of Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. and of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, an arrangement which has absolutely nothing in common with a Final Agreement.

But even with regard to the Draft Agreement itself, it lays down that if afterwards, in consultation with the Viceroy and Governor of this Province, any difficulties be met with, it shall be amended accordingly. It really cannot be considered a final settlement.

My former proposal that each build its own line and when completed join the rails for through traffic, was actuated by a sincere hope of seeing its early completion, so that our neighbourly relations may increase in friendliness.

In words of a public nature, one cannot ignore the situation, nor fail to reckon with public opinion.

Edit History

2026-06-02 13:33:19 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct

Live

View comparison

AI Proofread

ISOLATION. Sir, 268 Viceroy to Dr. Scott. CANTON, 6 January, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th instant regarding the Canton-Samshui Railway, recapitulating the instructions you received from H.B.M. Minister in Peking. With reference to this Railway, it was decided that it should be built by British merchants on behalf of China. Sheng, the Director-General of the Railway Administration, only entered into a Draft Agreement with the Representative of Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. and of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, an arrangement which has absolutely nothing in common with a Final Agreement. But even with regard to the Draft Agreement itself, it lays down that if afterwards, in consultation with the Viceroy and Governor of this Province, any difficulties be met with, it shall be amended accordingly. It really cannot be considered a final settlement. My former proposal that each build its own line and when completed join the rails for through traffic, was actuated by a sincere hope of seeing its early completion, so that our neighbourly relations may increase in friendliness. In words of a public nature, one cannot ignore the situation, nor fail to reckon with public opinion. 18

Baseline (Original)

ISLATION. Sir, 268 Viceroy to dr. Scott. CANTON, 6 January, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th instant regarding the Canton-Sorinon Railway, recapitulating the Instructions you reostved from H.B.M. Ministar in Peking. With reference to this Railway, it was decided that it should be built by British merchants on behalf of China. Sheng, the Director-General of the Railway Administration, only entered into a Draft Agreement with the Representa- tive of Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. and of the Hong- kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, an arrangement which has absolutely nothing in common with a Final Agreement. But even with regard to the Draft Agreement itself, it lays down that if afterwards, in consultation with the Viceroy and Coverror of this Province, any difficulties It really be met with, it shall be amended accordingly. cannot be considered a final settlement. by former proposal that each build its own line and when completed join the rails for through traffic, WAS actualed by a sincere hope of seeing its early completion, so that our neighbourly relations may increase in friend- lines. In 211 worns of a public nature, one cannot I mere the situation, nor fall to reckon with public opinion. 18

2026-06-02 13:33:19 · Baseline

View content

ISLATION.

Sir,

268

Viceroy to dr. Scott.

CANTON, 6 January, 1906.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your

letter of the 4th instant regarding the Canton-Sorinon

Railway, recapitulating the Instructions you reostved from

H.B.M. Ministar in Peking.

With reference to this Railway, it was decided that

it should be built by British merchants on behalf of China.

Sheng, the Director-General of the Railway Administration,

only entered into a Draft Agreement with the Representa-

tive of Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. and of the Hong-

kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, an arrangement

which has absolutely nothing in common with a Final

Agreement.

But even with regard to the Draft Agreement itself,

it lays down that if afterwards, in consultation with the

Viceroy and Coverror of this Province, any difficulties

It really

be met with, it shall be amended accordingly.

cannot be considered a final settlement.

by former proposal that each build its own line and

when completed join the rails for through traffic, WAS

actualed by a sincere hope of seeing its early completion,

so that our neighbourly relations may increase in friend-

lines.

In 211 worns of a public nature, one cannot

I mere the situation, nor fall to reckon with public

opinion.

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.