CO129-360 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 637

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MINUTES OF MEETING held at 3 Lombard Street E.C. on 12th March 1909.

Mr. W. Keswick and }

The following gentlemen were present :-

Representing the British and Chinese

Mr. C. S. Addis

Corporation Limited.

M. Simon and

M. Ullmann

Herr Urbig

Representing the French Group.

Herr Erich and

Herr Rehders

Mr. Carl Meyer and

Mr. G. Jamieson

J

Representing the German Group.

Representing Chinese Central Railways

Limited.

Mr. W. Keswick took the Chair.

The Chairman having called upon Mr. Addis as having conducted the negotiations in Berlin and Paris with the German and French Groups to make a short statement in regard to the present position, Mr. Addis informed the Meeting that immediately on the signature of the terms arranged between the British, French and German Groups at Berlin and Paris, the British and French Groups had cabled to their representatives in China withdrawing their offers in regard to the torns of the Hankow Canton Railway Loan, and that they had been informed that the German Group had not withdrawn their offer of Tientsin Pukow terms which had consequently been accepted by the Chinese Government, and pointed out that in the opinion of the Corporation this was contrary to Clause 6 of those terms. Mr. Simon on behalf of the French Group associated himself with the view expressed by Mr. Mr. Urbig declared that the German Group was of opinion that it was entitled to make an offer and that this was expressed If the in the telegrams exchanged with the Hongkong Bank. English and French Groups were not of this view there existed a difference of opinion. In so far as an Agreement between the three Groups can be arrived at, the German Group will do its best to improve the terms in accordance with the conditions which the three Groups declared to be necessary. The German Group hopes that the English and French Groups will give their support to this end. Pending the coming to of an agreement the German Group will not take any steps to alter the status quo.

Addis.

The Corporation and Chinese Central Railways and the French Group stated that it must be understood that the modification of the preliminary agreement in the sense indicated was an absolutely essential condition precedent to their acceptance of the terms of this Agreement, and on this understanding it was decided to proceed with the consideration of the draft Agreement which had been prepared, and was laid before the meeting.