[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
24463 [June 8.]
335
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[18719]
No. 1.
SECTION 1]! JUL 07
Mr. H. Lowther to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 8.)
(No. 95.) Sir,
Tokió, May 6, 1907. THE text of the Manchurian Railway Convention between Japan and China, which was signed at Peking on the 15th ultimo, was published on the 4th instant in the "Official Gazette." It had already, soon after its signature, appeared in most of the leading Japanese papers.
The criticism of the press is on the whole favourable. Some papers, however, complain of the free hand given to China as regards the construction of railways in Manchuria other than those specified, and suggest that China is not to be trusted, and that she might even go so far as to build competing lines. The semi-official organ admits that there is some reason in this complaint, but argues that it is best to trust China. If she is determined to interfere with Japanese railway rights no written stipulation will stop her; and if she does interfere, her action will raise a practical question with which Japan will know how to deal.
I have, &c. (Signed) HENRY CROFTON LOWTHER.
[2525 h-1]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.