This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[5515]
7
No. 1.
116
[February 17.]
SECTION 2.
Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 17.)
(No. 12.) Sir,
Tokió, January 20, 1908. WITH reference to Sir John Jordan's despatch to you, No. 596 of the 25th December, 1907, regarding the proposed railway bridge across the Yalu River, I have the honour to state that, at a recent interview I had with Count Hayashi, I took an opportunity of bringing the matter to his Excellency's notice, pointing out the damage which the construction of a "fixed railway bridge" at the point indicated would have on British shipping and mercantile interests. I said time had not allowed for me to receive instructions from you on the subject, but as the matter was important and pressing, I ventured to bring it to his notice without delay. I used the arguments set forth in Sir John Jordan's despatch. Count Hayashi said that the American Ambassador had also spoken to him on the subject. He promised to look into the question and give me a report on the case from the Japanese point of view. I saw Count Hayashi again yesterday, and asked whether he had heard any more regarding the matter, excusing my importunity by stating that I understood that the bridge was to be built in the spring of this year, and the matter was therefore pressing. His Excellency said that, as a result of my conversation with him, he had consulted Prince Ito on the subject, who had said that the bridge would not be built this year or next, or perhaps not for three or four years, owing to lack of funds. When it was built both Prince Ito and he were of opinion that it should be constructed to open, in order to allow ships to pass through on the turnstile principle, provided funds would admit of this kind of construction.
I have sent a copy of this despatch to Sir John Jordan and Mr. Cockburn.
I have, &c. (Signed) CLAUDE M. MACDONALD,
[2842 r-2]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[5515]
7
No. 1.
116
[February 17.]
SECTION 2.
Sir C. MacDonald to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 17.)
(No. 12.) Sir,
Tokió, January 20, 1908. WITH reference to Sir John Jordan's despatch to you, No. 596 of the 25th December, 1907, regarding the proposed railway bridge across the Yalu River, I have the honour to state that, at a recent interview I had with Count Hayashi, I took an opportunity of bringing the matter to his Excellency's notice, pointing out the damage which the construction of a "fixed railway bridge" at the point indicated would have on British shipping and mercantile interests. I said time had not allowed for me to receive instructions from you on the subject, but as the matter was important and pressing, I ventured to bring it to his notice without delay. I used the arguments set forth in Sir John Jordan's despatch. Count Hayashi said that the American Ambassador had also spoken to him on the subject. He promised to look into the question and give me a report on the case from the Japanese point of view. I saw Count Hayashi again yesterday, and asked whether he had heard any more regarding the matter, excusing my importunity by stating that I understood that the bridge was to be built in the spring of this year, and the matter was therefore pressing. His Excellency said that, as a result of my conversation with him, he had consulted Prince Ito on the subject, who had said that the bridge would not be built this year or next, or perhaps not for three or four years, owing to lack of funds. When it was built both Prince Ïto and he were of opinion that it should be constructed to open, in order to allow ships to pass through on the turnstile principle, provided funds would admit of this kind of construction.
I have sent a copy of this despatch to Sir John Jordan and Mr. Cockburn.
I have, &c. (Signed) CLAUDE M. MACDONALD,
[2842 r-2]
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