[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C. O.
17226
CHINA RAILWAYS,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[17303]
No. 1.
Telegrams communicated by Mr. Addis, May 6, 1909,
(1.)
REG 2! MAY 09,
[May 6.]
SECTION 2.
391
Telegram received from Peking, May 6, 1909.
REFERRING to our telegram of 3rd, Chinese have handed us draft despatch, which is satisfactory. They inform us Chang Chih Tung (Viceroy of Hankow) has no power to discuss option. Szechuan (Yang-tsze Province) section at present consequently cannot be included in Agreement. With reference to foregoing, referring to your telegram 3rd, as modification Agreement now obtained, thus removing obstacle to successful negotiation Paris meeting 2nd April, we suggest, in order to secure Szechuan (Yang-tsze Province) extension against favoured German competition, make ratification Anglo-French-German Agreement prior (to) condition of conclusion arrangement now under negotiation. Telegraph immediately reply.
(2.)
Telegram dispatched to Peking, May 6, 1909.
WITH reference to your wire of 6th, we regard your information as highly satisfactory, and you are fully empowered to conclude prescut negotiations on the basis of British engineer Hankow-Canton Railway and German engineer Hupeh (Yang-tsze Province) section of Hankow-Szechuan Railway Line without reference to other section of that line. We do not see our way to proceed with Anglo-Gerinan-French negotiations at present, but you are at liberty to let Cordes know we are prepared to resume Paris negotiations after settlement present business. Throughout the negotia- tions Germans have limited their claim to engineer Hupeh (Yang-tsze Province) section. In our opinion it might defeat the object we have in view and upset present tacit understanding were we to try to expressly exclude them from remaining section now.
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