[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C. O.
[February 22nd 1908]
157
SECTION 1.
MA S
[6145]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 22.)
(No. 9. Confidential.) Sir,
Peking, January 5, 1908.
ONE of the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu recently informed me in the course of a conversation upon railway matters that negotiations were going on in Paris for the repurchase of the line which is now being constructed between Laokai and Yünnan-fu in virtue of the Concession granted to France on the 9th April, 1898.
My informant stated that the overtures made by China had been favourably entertained by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. Pichon, but that the Ministry of the Colonies was opposed to the project.
I took an opportunity recently of sounding my French colleague on the subject. M. Bapst confirmed the report, and gave me to understand that the French Government would have no objection to disposing of the railway to China, but that they would not do so until the construction had been completed and guarantees had been received for its efficient working by China.
In his various reports on the subject His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Yünnan-fu has justly contrasted the favoured position which France now occupies in the matter of railway construction in Yunnan as compared with us, and has suggested the necessity of our taking immediate measures for securing equality of privilege in establishing railway connection between Burmah and Yunnan. Theoretically, we may doubtless claim the same rights as France enjoys, but their practical enforcement could not, in my opinion, now be attained by diplomatic methods.
Public sentiment in China has undergone a great change during the last year or two, and in their present temper the Chinese Government are very unlikely to grant any further Concessions to foreign Powers. Our experience in the Chekiang question has revealed the strength of the provincial opposition to railway construction by foreigners under the most reasonable conditions, and provoked a struggle which has taxed to the utmost the powers of the Central Government, and the result of which is still doubtful.
The prospect of overtaking the French in the long start which they have had, I regret to say, seems somewhat remote at present, and its eventual attainment will probably depend far more upon the friendly co-operation of the province than on the initiative of the Central Government.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
[2856 y-1]
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C. O.
[February 22573
157
SECTION 1.
MA S
[6145]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 22.)
(No. 9. Confidential.) Sir,
Peking, January 5, 1908. ONE of the Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu recently informed ine in the course of a conversation upon railway matters that negotiations were going on in Paris for the repurchase of the line which is now being constructed between Laokai and Yünnan-fu in virtue of the Concession granted to France on the 9th April, 1898.
My informant stated that the overtures made by China had been favourably entertained by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. Pichon, but that the Ministry of the Colonies was opposed to the project.
I took an opportunity recently of sounding my French colleague on the subject. M. Bapst confirmed the report, and gave me to understand that the French Government would have no objection to disposing of the railway to China, but that they would not do so until the construction had been completed. and guarantees had been received for its efficient working by China.
In his various reports on the subject His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Yüinnan-fu has justly contrasted the favoured position which France now occupies in the matter of railway construction in Yunnan as compared with us, and has suggested the necessity of our taking immediate measures for securing equality of privilege in establishing railway connection between Burmah and Yunnan. Theoretically, we may doubtless claim the same rights as France enjoys, but their practical enforcement could not, my opinion, now be attained by diplomatic methods."
Public sentiment in China has undergone a great change during the last year or two, and in their present temper the Chinese Government are very unlikely to grant any further Concessions to foreign Powers. Our experience in the Chekiang question has revealed the strength of the provincial opposition to railway construction by foreigners under the most reasonable conditions, and provoked a struggle which has taxed to the utmost the powers of the Central Government, and the result of which is still doubtful.
The prospect of overtaking the French in the long start which they have had of regret to say, somewhat rernote at us iu railway construction in Yünnan seems, present, and its eventual attainment will probably depend far more upon the friendly co-operation of the province than on the initiative of the Central Government.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
[2856 y-1}
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