Pukou-Sinyang Railway. I have duly forwarded copy of this despatch for the information of my Board.
With reference to the statements therein contained, I avail myself of this opportunity to observe that the change in circumstances to which his Highness alludes is fully recognized by the Chinese Central Railways, as has recently been shown by their acceptance, in the case of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway Loan Agreement, of conditions substantially different from those to which they were entitled under the Preliminary Agreement. It is evident that the precedent of reasonable compromise thus created, based upon recognition of existing conditions, would apply in the present instance, but I would respectfully submit that the fact of circumstances having changed cannot reasonably be cited in justification for further postponement of these negotiations. I would also observe that towards the conclusion of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway negotiations in October last it was suggested to your Excellency by the Wai-wu Pu, and I informed my Board of the fact, that the Pukou-Sinyang Railway should be simultaneously concluded under conditions similar to those of the Anglo-German Agreement; since which date no noteworthy change of circumstances has occurred.
As regards the final location of the terminal points of the railway, the matter is evidently one for consideration by the Imperial Chinese Government and possible rearrangement, but it affords, per se, no sufficient reason for postponement of these negotiations. The Directors of the Chinese Central Railways give me discretion to accept any reasonable modification in this matter or any other in which the conditions implied in the Preliminary Agreement can be shown to be inexpedient or unworkable.
I have, &c.
[Unsigned.]
C 0.
437
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
1
4 SEP 08
[August 14.]
SECTION 1.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[27926]
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 110.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Foreign Office, August 14, 1908. CHINA railways. Bland is being instructed by Chinese Central Railways (Limited) to apply to you for Concession for Hankow-Chengtu Railway. The Syndicate base their application on the promise given in 1903 by Prince Ching. Do you think the moment favourable for giving the support of His Majesty's Government to the scheme?
(Confidential.)
The Syndicate are taking this step owing to a report which has reached them to the effect that Szechuen Railway Concession is being applied for by the French in connection with the settlement of their Yünnan frontier troubles. This report appears to me improbable, but the Syndicate state that they would prefer that the grant of such a Concession should be founded on the 1903 promise, and should be negotiated through the British Legation.
[1897 0-1]
2
Pukou-Sinyang Railway. I have duly forwarded copy of this despatch for the informa- tion of my Board.
With reference to the statements therein contained. I avail myself of this opportunity to observe that the change in circumstances to which his Highness alludes is fully recognized by the Chinese Central Railways, as has recently be shown by their acceptance, in the case of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway Loan Agreement, of conditions substantially different from those to which they were entitled under the Preliminary Agreement. It is evident that the precedent of reasonable compromise thus created, based upon recognition of existing conditions, would apply in the present instance, but I would respectfully submit that the fact of circumstances having changed cannot reasonably be cited in justification for further postponement of these negotiations. I would also observe that towards the conclusion of the Tien-tsin-Pukou Railway negotiations in October last it was suggested to your Excellency by the Wai-wn Pu, and I informed my Board of the fact, that the Pukou-Sinyang Railway should be simultaneously concluded under conditions similar to those of the Anglo-German Agreement; since which date no noteworthy change of circumstances has occurred.
As regards the final location of the terminal points of the railway, the matter is evidently one for consideration by the Imperial Chinese Government and possible rearrangement, but it affords, per se, no sufficient reason for postponement of these negotiations. The Directors of the Chinese Central Railways give me discretion to accept any reasonable modification in this matter or any other in which the conditions implied in the Preliminary Agreement can be shown to be inexpedient or unworkable.
I have, &c.
[Unsigned.]
>
C 0.
437
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government 1
4 SEP 08
[August 14.]
SECTION 1.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[27926]
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
(No. 110.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Foreign Office, August 14, 1908. CHINA railways. Bland is being instructed by Chinese Central Railways (Limited) to apply to you for Concession for Hankow-Chengtu Railway. The Syndicate base their application on the promise given in 1903 by Prince Ching. Do you think the moment favourable for giving the support of His Majesty's Government to the scheme?
(Confidential.)
The Syndicate are taking this step owing to a report which has reached them to the effect that Szechuen Railway Concession is being applied for by the French in connection with the settlement of their Yünnan frontier troubles. This report appears to me improbable, but the Syndicate state that they would prefer that the grant of such a Concession should be founded on the 1903 promise, and should be negotiated through the British Legation.
[1897 0-1]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.