[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
363
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30788]
No. 1.
[September 10]
SECTION 7.
C. O.
45640
Mr. Carnegie to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 10.)
(No. 166.)
Peking, September 10, 1906. (Telegraphic.) P.
I HAVE the honour to report, with reference to my telegram No. 145, that in consequence of the Memorials of the Board of Commerce, which were approved by Imperial Rescript and appeared in the Chinese press, by which the building of lines from Soochow to Hangchow and Ningpo by two new Chinese Railway Companies was authorized, I addressed a strong protest to Prince Ching on the 4th August, requesting him to take steps to secure that the Chinese Government's obligations under the Agreements they had entered into with the Corporation be duly fulfilled and the charge of bad faith obviated, and also asking for an interview. I was at first referred by his Highness, who was engaged at the Summer Palace, to the Wai-wu Pu, and on the 7th and 20th ultimo I had two unsatisfactory interviews with them (see my despatch No. 358 of the 23rd ultimo). On my insisting on seeing him, the Prince finally, on the 8th instant, found time to see me. He gave me repeated assurances that, though the discussion of a final Agreement could not at present be agreed to, the Chinese Government recognized the preliminary Agreement, but that the Memorials could not be set aside, as they had been approved by Rescript. Pending the conclusion of a final Agreement, and while the matter was in a preliminary stage, to inform the Chekiang provincials that foreigners had been granted all rights to build railways between Soochow, Hangchow, and Ningpo was a course the Chinese Government were not prepared to take. He hinted broadly at the same time that it was not likely that the provincials would be successful, intending evidently that I should understand that their project was negligible, owing to the small prospect it had of coming to fruition. I said I must refer to you, as I could not consider this satisfactory.
I shall leave suggestions as to further action to Sir John Jordan, who arrives this evening.
[2146 k-7]
OFC C
....
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
363
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30788)
No. 1.
[September 10.f
SECTION 7.
C. 0.
45640
Mr. Carnegie to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 10.)
(No. 166.)
Peking, September 10, 1906. (Telegraphic.) P.
I HAVE the honour to report, with reference to my telegram No. 145, that in consequence of the Memorials of the Board of Commerce, which were approved by Imperial Rescript and appeared in the Chinese press, by which the building of lines from Soochow to Hangchow and Ningpo by two new Chinese Railway Companies was authorized, I addressed a strong protest to Prince Ching on the 4th August, requesting him to take steps to secure that the Chinese Government's obligations under the Agreements they had entered into with the Corporation be duly fulfilled and the charge of bad faith obviated, and also asking for an interview. was at first referred by his Highness, who was engaged at the Summer Palace, to the Wai-wu Pu, and on the 7th and 20th ultimo I had two unsatisfactory interviews with them (see my despatch No. 358 of the 23rd ultimo). On my insisting on seeing him, the Prince finally, on the 8th instant, found time to see me. He gave me repeated assurances that, though the discussion of a final Agreement could not at present be agreed to, the Chinese Government recognized the preliminary Agreement, but that the Memorials could not be set aside, as they had been approved by Rescript. Pending the conclusion of a final Agreement, and while the matter was in a preliminary stage, to inform the Chekiang provincials that foreigners had been granted all rights to build railways between Soochow, Hangchow, and Ningpo was a course the Chinese Govern- ment were not prepared to take. He hinted broadly at the same time that it was not likely that the provincials would be successful, intending evidently that I should understand that their project was negligible, owing to the small prospect it had of coming to fruition. I said I must refer to you, as I could not consider this satisfactory.
I shall leave suggestions as to further action to Sir John Jordan, who arrives this evening.
[2146 k-7]
OFC C
....
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