11 Feb.
244
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[1889]
No. 1.
[January 17.]
SKCTION
C. O.
5519
TREEP
Sir,
British and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.—(Received January 17.) REG 13 FEF 07
22, Abchurch Lane, London, January 16, 1907.
IN reply to a telegram which we addressed to our representative, Mr. Bland, on the 14th instant, inquiring when the Imperial Edict ratifying the Canton-Kowloon Railway Loan Agreement might be expected, we have to-day received from Mr. Bland the following telegram :---
Referring to your telegram of the 14th, Canton-Kowloon Railway, under- taking given to the British Minister by Tang Shao Yi to this effect: Memorial would be submitted 12th instant; issue Imperial Edict expected to follow immediately, but in consequence of Imperial Edict Sunday very severely censuring Chang Po Hsi, Tang Shao Yi's situation has become difficult. You may expect there will be some delay British and Chinese Corporation business.
"I have seen Tang Shao Yi to-day; states he cannot move in the matter in the present state of affairs.
"Situation is serious, caused partly on account of keen opposition Canton to loan contract, partly on account of reactionaries Peking."
We beg leave to request that you will be so good as to submit this information to Sir Edward Grey, who will remember that, as stated in our letter to you of the 3rd instant, Tang Shao Yi requested that the Corporation would consent to the term of the loan being reduced to thirty years, on the understanding that the Imperial Edict would be applied for at once and no further changes in the Agreement would be suggested; that Tang Shao Yi gave an undertaking to His Britannic Majesty's Minister to that effect; and that the Corporation in order to facilitate the conclusion of the business complied with Tang Shao Yi's request, and agreed to the term of the loan being reduced.
We are, &c.
(The British and Chinese Corporation, Limited),
(Signed) W. KESWICK, Chairman.
[2326 r—1]
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