CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 557

No.88.

C.0.

8193

Theco

552:

8190

1992 MAR 09.

PARIS-

MART 1909)

February 27,

Sir:-

With reference to my telegram No.36 of to-day's date

I have the honour to report that Mr Addis called at His

Kajesty's Embassy this afternoon and informed me that V.

Simon, the representative of the French group, and he had

signed the memorandum dated February 26th respecting the

Hankow-Canton Railway negotiations as accepted in principle

and subject to confirmation by their respective groups.

Ia Addis stated that M. Simon, who had an interview

with the Kinister of Finance before signing the memorandum,

told him that the latter had expressed the wish that some arrangement could be arrived at under which all loan busi- ness in China, and not only that pertaining to railways, would be shared by the British, French and German groups. Mr Addis remarked that this was of course a much larger question which might be discussed later on but which was outside his present sphere of negotiations.

Mr Addis leaves tomorrow for Berlin where he hopes to obtain the signature of the memorandum by the representatiee of the German group under the same conditions as in Faris, and he intends to return here in three pr four days.

I have the honour to be with great truth and respect,

The Right Honourable

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Sir Edward Grey, Bart., K.P.,

etc.,

etc.. etc.

Ob Rancis Berber.