[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
525
C.O.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Imperial Edict issued on December 18, 1908.
IN a Memorial presented by Chang Chih-tung, Yuan Shib-K'ai, and Liang Tun-yen, submitting a scheme for the joint official and commercial management of the Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway, it was proposed that when, after ten years, the time for the repayment of the loan by the Imperial Government arrived, the gentry and merchants of the three provinces should be permitted to raise sufficient capital to buy in one-half of the shares, and that the line should then be under joint official and commercial management. Subsequently Lu Hai Huan submitted a Memorial suggesting regulations for raising share capital, wherein he proposed that as the southern section of the line passed through Anhui this province should be added to the others, making four in all, that after ten years the line should be placed under joint official and private manage- ment, and that at no time could the commercial shares be recalled. These proposals were all sanctioned.
A further Memorial has now been submitted by Lu Hai Huan with reference to the affairs of the Four Provinces Tien-tsin-Pukow Railway Company (Limited), in which he As it has been represents that progress is being delayed owing to popular uneasiness. decided that the railway is to be permanently under joint official and commercial management, it would obviously be unjust to recall the commercial shares, and after the issue of this definite pronouncement we direct Lu Hai Huan to urge the gentry and merchants of the provinces to join together in raising share capital for the railway, so that there may be no risk of any obstacle arising when the time for the redemption of the line arrives, that benefits may result to all, and that good faith may be observed.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[5712]
(No. 29.)
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
February 11]
Ract SECTION 1 MAR OC
7798
(Telegraphic.) P.
Foreign Office, February 11, 1909. A COPY of a telegram has been communicated to me by Pauling's from their agent, in which he states that the Japanese, who demand participation in all construction contracts for the Hankow-Canton Railway as price of their support, are causing their greatest difficulty.
I should be glad to be informed of the facts.
Firm request that you may be authorized to use your influence to obtain withdrawal of this opposition.
[2150 -1]
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