CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 149

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147

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.13950

RECE REGP 24 APR 09)

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[11990]

No. 1.

[March 26

SECTION 3.

Mr. C. S. Addis to Foreign Office.-(Received March 26.)

Dear Mr. Alston,

Hong Kong and Shanghae Banking Corporation, 31, Lombard Street, London, March 26, 1909.

I INCLOSE copy of a telegram to Berlin, which please substitute for the copy I left with Sir Francis this morning.

Since then I have received the inclosed telegram from Berlin, in reply to mine of yesterday, informing them that the French and English groups agree, in accordance with the German suggestion, to meet at Paris on the 2nd April. I also inclose copy of my reply. My idea is, as you will see, that until we know that the Germans have actually broken their engagement, we must be careful to preserve a strictly correct attitude.

Yours truly, (Signed)

Dear Mr. Addis,

Inclosure 1 in No. 1.

M. Urbig to Mr. C. S. Addis.

C. S. ADDIS.

Berlin, March 25, 1909. THE Peking correspondent of the "Times has since our meeting held in London repeatedly telegraphed that the German Syndicate would probably withdraw from their offer made for the 3,000,0007. We hear now from Peking that the Representative of the British and Chinese Corporation uses the same language, and has mentioned to the Chinese that they would not be able to get the 3,000,000%, from our group, the latter being dependent from the English Syndicate.

The result of these telegrams and remarks is the strong desire of the Chinese Government to sign the Final Agreement with us as soon as possible. The German Syndicate, by showing unwillingness to sign, would, as I fear, be placed under the suspicion of not being able or prepared to enter finally into the obligations of the Provisional Agreement.

The members of our Syndicate feel not responsible for the position brought upon us, but you will understand that nobody of them wishes to create in Chinese circles any suspicion of the before-mentioned kind,

I have therefore every reason to believe that, in case the Chinese Government insists on signing the Final Agreement without delay, our Syndicate will give instructions to this effect to our Representative at Peking. Should we become obliged to do so, we would certainly give in time notice to you that the alteration of the conditions, contained in the Agreement for the 3,000,0001, can no more be considered as one of the preliminary conditions for a mutual understanding with the English and French group.

Believe me, &c. (Signed)

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

FR. URBIG.

Mr. C. S. Addis to M. Urbig.

(Telegraphic.)

Murch 26, 1909.

YOUR letter of 25th instant. British-Chinese Corporation, Chinese Central Railways, Hong Kong-Shanghae Banking Corporation enter emphatic protest against German signature Final Agreement Hankow-Canton Railway Loan.

It is in direct contravention of your written undertaking at our meeting of

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