545
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's GovernmenC. O
127
RECO [December # 2 JAN 08
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
SECTION 1.
[40236]
(No. 133.)
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Foreign Office, December 7, 1907. ON the 5th December the Chinese Minister called on Mr. Keswick and made an earnest appeal on behalf of the Chekiang Province that the British and Chinese Corporation should withdraw from the Suchow-Ningpo Railway. Li Ching Fong hinted that a refusal to do so would undoubtedly cause trouble with regard to trade. It is probable that boycott was meant.
On the previous day Li Ching Fong had alluded to the same subject in conversa- tion with me.
I understand that the Minister intimated distinctly to Mr. Keswick, though he
did not actually say so, that he was speaking on Yuan Shih Kai's behalf.
This would appear to be untrue from your telegram No. 208 of the 2nd instant, but the above are probably the "private negotiations" to which Yuan Shih Kai referred in his communication to you.
I consider that withdrawal at this juncture would form a bad precedent, though
the question of possible boycott must not be lost sight of.
We must now make up our minds what course should be followed, though the British and Chinese Corporation has not yet asked for our views.
As it appears to be the opinion of Yuan Shih Kai that the Central Government should remain firm, I am inclined to think that we also should do so, and insist on the carrying out of Agreements.
I will await your views, however, before coming to a decision.
[2768 g-1]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.