[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[175]
No. 1.
83
[January 7.]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Foreign Office to British and Chinese Corporation.*
Foreign Office, January 7, 1908.
WITH reference to your letter of the 31st ultimo, I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to inform you that a telegram, dated the 2nd instant, has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking respecting the final Agreements for the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze and Soochow-Ningpo Railways.
Sir J. Jordan reports that he is still of opinion that the position with regard to the Soochow-Ningpo line would be weakened if the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Agreement were signed first, but that he doubts the possibility of much longer withholding signature of the latter without endangering it also.
He adds that on the 31st ultimo he was requested by the Wai-wu Pu to authorize the signature of the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Agreement, and offered to do so if they assured him verbally that the Soochow-Ningpo Agreement should be settled as soon as possible and on the same terms. This assurance the Wai-wu Pu were reluctant to give, as they considered that they might be unable to fulfil it; they asked, however, for a week in which to consider the matter.
When he receives their answer Sir J. Jordan will telegraph a definite opinion. Meanwhile he is explaining the position to the German Minister.
[Though, in consequence of the representations made, the Chinese Government have issued two strongly worded Decrees,†] Sir J. Jordan is of opinion that the situation is a delicate one, and that further pressure may revive the agitation in Chêkiang, which was subsiding, and may make it still more difficult for the Central Government to bring the province to reason.
[2815 g-2]
I am, &c. (Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
* Also to Chinese Central Railways, mutatis mutandis. † To British and Chinese Corporation only.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[175]
No. 1.
83
[January 7.]
SECTION 2.
j
:
Sir,
Foreign Office to British and Chinese Corporation.*
Foreign Office, January 7, 1908. WITH reference to your letter of the 31st ultimo, I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to inform you that a telegram, dated the 2nd instant, has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking respecting the final Agreements for the Tien-tsin- Yang-tsze and Soochow-Ningpo Railways.
Sir J. Jordan reports that he is still of opinion that the position with regard to the Soochow-Ningpo line would be weakened if the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Agreement were signed first, but that he doubts the possibility of much longer withholding signature of the latter without endangering it also.
He adds that on the 31st ultimo he was requested by the Wai-wu Pu to authorize the signature of the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Agreement, and offered to do so if they assured him verbally that the Soochow-Ningpo Agreement should be settled as soon as possible and on the same terms. This assurance the Wai-wu Pu were reluctant to give, as they considered that they might be unable to fulfil it; they asked, however, for a week in which to consider the matter.
When he receives their answer Sir J. Jordan will telegraph a definite opinion. Meanwhile he is explaining the position to the German Minister.
[Though, in consequence of the representations made, the Chinese Government have issued two strongly worded Decrees,†] Sir J. Jordan is of opinion that the situation is a delicate one, and that further pressure may revive the agitation in Chêkiang, which was subsiding, and may make it still more difficult for the Central Government to bring the province to reason.
[2815 g-2]
I am, &c. (Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
* Also to Chinese Central Railways, mutatis mutandis. † To British and Chinese Corporation only.
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