This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C. 0.
3844
[January 3.]
145
REGE 30 JAN 07/ SECTION 1.
[276]
No. 1.
Sir,
The British and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.~(Received January 3.)
22, Abchurch Lane, London, January 3, 1907. WE beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for, your letter of the 1st instant, and the information therein contained, which you have communicated to us by direction of Sir E. Grey.
We note that it appears to Sir John Jordan to be important to secure, if possible, the ratification by Imperial Edict of the Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement before taking a decided stand in the matter of the Soochow-Ningpo line, and that Sir E. Grey has concurred in the views of His Majesty's Minister.
In regard to the ratification by Imperial Edict of the Canton-Kowloon Railway Agreement, we beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of Sir E. Grey, that we received on the 1st instant from our representative in Peking the following telegram :--
Canton,
"Canton-Kowloon Railway Imperial Edict has been delayed, owing to opposition "Tang Shao Yi states telegrams have been received, Viceroy of Canton objecting term loan contract fifty years; the stipulation is should be reduced to thirty years.
"This would involve change amortization probably sooner.
"Tang Shao Yi requests British and Chinese Corporation consent on the under- standing that Imperial Edict will be applied for without delay, no further changes to be suggested.
"The British Minister was in opposition to any alterations Loan Agreement until he received to-day formal undertaking as stated above.
"Send your reply as soon as possible."
Agreeably with the assurances we gave to Sir E. Grey, that we would facilitate the conclusion of this business to the utmost of our ability, we telegraphed to our representative the same day that we consented to the terms of the loan being reduced from fifty to thirty years.
We are, &c.
[2326 c-1]
The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited,
(Signed) W. KESWICK, Chairman.
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