CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 380

C.O.

17226

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

REG 21 MAY 09.

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[March 10,]

378

SECTION 5.

E

i

[9267]

(No. 58.)

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 10.)

(Telegraphic.) P.

HANKOW-CANTON Railway Loan.

Peking, March 10, 1909.

I have the honour to refer to my telegram No. 57 of the 8th instant.

I went to see Liang Tun-yen this morning. He expressed his desire to make any reparation in his power. He regretted what had occurred, but stated that the Chinese were now pledged to the Germans in the matter of the loan. He accused the British and Chinese Corporation of endeavouring to "make a comer" against the Chinese in the European money markets. In pursuance of this policy the Corporation had persuaded the French to agree to Canton-Kowloon terms, had tried to secure the adhesion of the Germans, and, had not events taken their present turn, would have formed the coalition before a week had elapsed. He led me clearly to understand that the agent of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank here was his authority for the foregoing statement. His Excellency considered that Chang Chih-tung was therefore right in "making his escape," as he expressed it. The Chinese Government, he added, regretted the incident, and were aware that His Majesty's Government had claims for consideration under the 1905 Agreement.

I should be glad, therefore, of your instructions as to what action, if any, you would wish me to take.

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