CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 297

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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government

29532

294

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[25486]

No. 1.

REC

13 AUG 08

[July 22.]

SECTION 2.

Sir,

Board of Trade to Foreign Office.-(Received July 22.)

Board of Trade, July 21, 1908.

I AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd June, transmitting copy of a despatch addressed by Sir E. Grey to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio with reference to the Russian Railway Concessions at Harbin and other places in Northern Manchuria.

The Board observe that Sir E. Grey has informed the United States' Ambassador that His Majesty's Government agree in the view that the Russian interpretation of the Railway Agreement, in virtue of which complete jurisdiction is claimed over 47 square miles at Harbin, is inconsistent with the integrity of China and with the principle of the "open door," but that His Majesty's Government are not prepared to take the initiative in opposing it unless British interests are concerned.

The Board do not desire to suggest in this connection the adoption of any course of action which, in Sir E. Grey's opinion, would be undesirable on political grounds, but they trust that, in view of the possibilities which Manchuria presents of becoming a market for British goods, every effort will be made to preserve for British merchants the unrestricted right of residence and trade in the open marts of Northern as well as of Southern Manchuria.

I have, &c.

(Signed) GEO. J. STANLEY.

[1841 y-2]

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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government 29532 294 CHINA RAILWAYS. CONFIDENTIAL. [25486] No. 1. REC 13 AUG 08 [July 22.] SECTION 2. Sir, Board of Trade to Foreign Office.-(Received July 22.) Board of Trade, July 21, 1908. I AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd June, transmitting copy of a despatch addressed by Sir E. Grey to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio with reference to the Russian Railway Concessions at Harbin and other places in Northern Manchuria. The Board observe that Sir E. Grey has informed the United States' Ambassador that His Majesty's Government agree in the view that the Russian interpretation of the Railway Agreement, in virtue of which complete jurisdiction is claimed over 47 square miles at Harbin, is inconsistent with the integrity of China and with the principle of the "open door," but that His Majesty's Government are not prepared to take the initiative in opposing it unless British interests are concerned. The Board do not desire to suggest in this connection the adoption of any course of action which, in Sir E. Grey's opinion, would be undesirable on political grounds, but they trust that, in view of the possibilities which Manchuria presents of becoming a market for British goods, every effort will be made to preserve for British merchants the unrestricted right of residence and trade in the open marts of Northern as well as of Southern Manchuria. I have, &c. (Signed) GEO. J. STANLEY. [1841 y-2]
Baseline (Original)
[B] This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governmen 29532 294 CHINA RAILWAYS. CONFIDENTIAL. [25486] No. 1. REC 13 AUG 08 [July 22.] SECTION 2. Sir, Board of Trade to Foreign Office.-(Received July 22.) Board of Trade, July 21, 1908. I AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd June, transmitting copy of a despatch addressed by Sir E. Grey to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio with reference to the Russian Railway Concessions at Harbin and other places in Northern Manchuria. The Board observe that Sir E. Grey has informed the United States' Ambassador that His Majesty's Government agree in the view that the Russian interpretation of the Railway Agreement, in virtue of which complete jurisdiction is claimed over 47 square miles at Harbin, is inconsistent with the integrity of China and with the principle of the "open door," but that His Majesty's Government are not prepared to take the initiative in opposing it unless British interests are concerned. The Board do not desire to suggest in this connection the adoption of any course of action which, in Sir E. Grey's opinion, would be undesirable on political grounds, but they trust that, in view of the possibilities which Manchuria presents of becoming a market for British goods, every effort will be made to preserve for British merchants the unrestricted right of residence and trade in the open marts of Northern as well as of Southern Manchuria. I have, &c. (Signed) GEO. J. STANLEY. [1841 y-2]
2026-06-06 19:48:00 · Baseline
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[B]

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governmen

29532

294

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[25486]

No. 1.

REC

13 AUG 08

[July 22.]

SECTION 2.

Sir,

Board of Trade to Foreign Office.-(Received July 22.)

Board of Trade, July 21, 1908. I AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd June, transmitting copy of a despatch addressed by Sir E. Grey to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio with reference to the Russian Railway Concessions at Harbin and other places in Northern Manchuria.

The Board observe that Sir E. Grey has informed the United States' Ambassador that His Majesty's Government agree in the view that the Russian interpretation of the Railway Agreement, in virtue of which complete jurisdiction is claimed over 47 square miles at Harbin, is inconsistent with the integrity of China and with the principle of the "open door," but that His Majesty's Government are not prepared to take the initiative in opposing it unless British interests are concerned.

The Board do not desire to suggest in this connection the adoption of any course of action which, in Sir E. Grey's opinion, would be undesirable on political grounds, but they trust that, in view of the possibilities which Manchuria presents of becoming a market for British goods, every effort will be made to preserve for British merchants the unrestricted right of residence and trade in the open marts of Northern as well as of Southern Manchuria.

I have, &c. (Signed) GEO. J. STANLEY.

[1841 y-2]

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