[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
C.O. 12195
51
[March 15.]
IREC
SECTION 2.
READ APR Ne
No. 1.
[10419]
Question asked in the House of Commons, March 15, 1909.
Mr. Lonsdale, To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Agree- ment provisionally concluded between the Chinese Government and the Deutsch- Asiatische Bank for the construction of the northern half of the Canton-Han-Kau Railway violates the assurance given by the Viceroy, Chang-chih Tung, to the British Consul-General on the 9th September, 1905, that, should it be necessary to borrow funds abroad for the construction of the Cauton-Han-Kau Railway, British financiers should have the first option of undertaking the business, and, if bought abroad, British firms should have the first option of supplying the machinery and materials, and what action is being taken by His Majesty's Government in reference to this matter.
Answered by Mr. McKinnon Wood (for Sir Edward Grey),
Negotiations with regard to the loan for this railway are still proceeding, and, meanwhile, we think it is better not to make any statement on the subject.
'(2193 p-2]
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