2
5. That simultaneous communications be addressed to both the British and French Legations in Peking on all matters of importance.
6. That as it seems advisable that negotiations should be conducted by one person only, and as in this business English interests are admitted to be predominant, Mr. Bland, acting in accord with M. Casenave, should have charge of all the Company's negotiations; nevertheless, in the event of Mr. Bland being prevented by illness or other reasons from conducting such negotiations, M. Casenave then to undertake such duties, but in the event of any other business being undertaken by the Company in which French interests should predominate, M. Casenave should have charge of the Company's negotiations. In case the two agents should be unable to agree, they are to refer to the Board for decision.
It was further agreed that copies of these Minutes should be communicated to both Mr. Bland and M. Casenave, and that the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) should be asked for the loan of Mr. Bland's services, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine should be asked to lend the services of M. Casenave.
French Group's Claim in respect of Expenditure anterior to Amalgamation. (a.) Settlement of the questions pending with the "Société Française d'Explorations Minières en Chine," and reimbursement of previous expenses.
After short discussion the French members waived their claim hereunder. (b.) Liquidation of the Provisional Agreement with M. de Marteau.
It was agreed that the Company should undertake to pay M. de Marteau's salary from the 15th November, 1905, to the 15th August, 1906, and that in the event of the negotiations for the Szechuen Railway being successful he be paid the sum of 40,000 fr.
637
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
Finance.
The Secretary was authorized to remit the sum of 2,000l. to the Paris office for general expenses, &c.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C.O.
34535
[July 2.]
Rec
SECTION 16.
IR 18 SEP 06
No. 1.
[22276]
(No. 232.) Sir,
Mr. Carnegie to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received July 2.)
I HAVE the honour to inform you that on the 19th February His Majesty's
Peking, May 16, 1906. Acting Consul at Changsha reported to His Majesty's Minister that the prospects of the establishment of a foreign Settlement at Changte, which the Chinese Government propose to open to foreign trade, did not seem very hopeful, in view of the anxiety of the Yochow Customs Taotai to select a site for the Settlement where it would not affect native trade interests, and in view of the opposition of the gentry and students to the only scheme which the Customs Taotai declared to be feasible.
Mr. Giles added that British firms, however, had not waited for the establishment of the Settlement to make provision for their future requirements, and that several firms had already acquired sites.
From a subsequent report from Mr. Giles, dated the 1st instant, it appears that the Taotai has overcome the difficulties respecting the selection of a site, and has practically decided on ground on the river bank outside the east gate, about 2 li distant from the city. The foreign Settlement will thus be, roughly speaking, about a mile to the east of Changte city.
I have, &c.
(Signed) LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE,
[2073 b-16]
2
5. That simultaneous communications be addressed to both the British and French Legations in Peking on all matters of importance.
6. That as it seems advisable that negotiations should be conducted by one person only, and as in this business English interests are admitted to be predominant, Mr. Bland, acting in accord with M. Casenave, should have charge of all the Company's negotiations; nevertheless, in the event of Mr. Bland being prevented by illness or other reasons from conducting such negotiations, M. Casenave then to undertake such duties, but in the event of any other business being undertaken by the Company in which French interests should predominate, M. Casenave should have charge of the Company's negotiations. In case the two agents should be unable to agree, they are to refer to the Board for decision.
It was further agreed that copies of these Minutes should be communicated to both Mr. Bland and M. Casenave, and that the British and Chinese Corporation (Limited) should be asked for the loan of Mr. Bland's services, and the Banque de l'Indo-Chine should be asked to lend the services of M. Casenave.
French Group's Claim in respect of Expenditure anterior to Amalgamation. (a.) Settlement of the questions pending with the "Société Française d'Explora- tions Minières en Chine," and reimbursement of previous expenses.
After short discussion the French members waived there claim hereunder. (b.) Liquidation of the Provisional Agreement with M. de Marteau.
It was agreed that the Company should undertake to pay M. de Marteau's salary from the 15th November, 1905, to the 15th August, 1906, and that in the event of the negotiations for the Szechuen Railway being successful he be paid the sum of 40,000 fr.
637
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
Finance.
The Secretary was authorized to remit the sum of 2,000l. to the Paris office for general expenses, &c.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C.O.
34535
[July 2.]
Rec
SECTION 16.
IR 18 SEP 06
No. 1.
[22276]
(No. 232.) Sir,
Mr. Carnegie to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received July 2.)
I HAVE the honour to inform you that on the 19th February His Majesty's
Peking, May 16, 1906. Acting Consul at Changsha reported to His Majesty's Minister that the prospects of the establishment of a foreign Settlement at Changte, which the Chinese Government propose to open to foreign trade, did not seem very hopeful, in view of the anxiety of the Yochow Customs Taotai to select a site for the Settlement where it would not affect native trade interests, and in view of the opposition of the gentry and students to the only scheme which the Customs Taotai declared to be feasible.
Mr. Giles added that British firms, however, had not waited for the establishment of the Settlement to make provision for their future requirements, and that several firms had already acquired sites.
From a subsequent report from Mr. Giles, dated the 1st instant, it appears that the Taotai has overcome the difficulties respecting the selection of a site, and has practically decided on ground on the river bank outside the east gate, about 2 li distant from the city. The foreign Settlement will thus be, roughly speaking, about a mile to the east of Changte city.
I have, &c.
(Signed) LANCELOT D. CARNEGIE,
[2073 b-16]
A
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.