This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,
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addition to the new Rules at the present state of the negotiations which are being conducted by the Diplomatic Body. I considered it advisable, nevertheless, to let this draft pass without further comment, as I am of opinion that any objection raised to it would have the effect of stopping all progress in the matter, which is urgent and important.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
I have, &c. (Signed)
PELHAM WARREN.
9970 [February 26.]
REGU19 MAR 07, SECTION 1
[6315]
No. 1.
•
Sir F. Bertie to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received February 26.)
(No. 103.) Sir,
Excellency,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Consul-General Siffert to Doyen of Diplomatic Body.
Shanghae, December 12, 1906. I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith a draft of a letter addressed to the Taotal of Customs in Shanghae, the contents of which were considered by the Consular Body, approved by the Acting Consuls for the United States of America and Germany, and proposed by Sir Pelham Warren, the Consul-General for Great Britain.
Although all the members of the Consular Body are not of the same opinion concerning the result and the subsequent consequences of the projected step, there is unanimity to recognize that the adoption of the proposed measures would assure a better administration of justice, and would avoid conflicts and other inconveniences which occur on the occasion of sending accused from the International Mixed Court to the Court of the Chinese city.
The Consular Body is also unanimously of opinion that the approval by the Diplomatic Body, which is respectfully solicited, for contents of the proposed despatch, would greatly facilitate a favourable answer from the Chinese authorities in Shanghae and in Nanking.
I remain, &c. (Signed)
D. SIFFERT.
Paris, February 25, 1907. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of a Bill which has been introduced in the Chamber of Deputies providing for the approval of a Convention concluded on the 15th instant between the Minister of the Colonies and the French Indo-China and Yunnan Railway Company.*
The object of this Convention is to assure the continuation of the construction of the line already began by the Company. Owing to various causes the work has been found to be more costly than was anticipated, and the resources of the Company are not sufficient to continue the undertaking without further support from the Colony of Indo-China.
This support the Colony was unwilling to give, but as a result of negotiations it has been decided to appoint a Commission to examine the whole question. The Convention provides that, pending the issue of the Report of this Commission, the work of construction will be continued at the common cost of the Colony and of the Company, and that all matters in dispute will be submitted to Arbitrators, who will decide in what proportion this cost is to be borne by the two parties.
I have, &c. (In the absence of the Ambassador),
(Signed) REGINALD LISTER.
* Not printed.
Excellency,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Consul-General Siffert to Doyen of Diplomatic Body.
[Revised draft.]
Shanghae, December 12, 1906.
I HAVE the honour to inclose herewith the draft of a letter to be sent to the Shanghae Taotai, the contents of which were considered by the Consular Body, approved of by the Consuls for Germany and the United States of America, and proposed by Sir F. Warren, His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General.
Although all the members of the Consular Body are not of the same opinion concerning the final result and the ulterior consequences of the projected step, yet they deem the proposed measure too important and too far-reaching in itself not to be sent to the Ministers in Peking that they may examine it and include the same if opportune with the other proposals now under study about the reorganization of the actual systein of administration of justice by Chinese Magistrates to the natives residing in the international Settlement.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
D. SIFFERT.
[2368 cc-1]
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