32
Under these circumstances we beg leave to express our opinion that until the survey of the British section now in progress has been completed, and we are in a position to assert ourselves as having complied with all the conditions of the preliminary agreement, it is useless to continue the negotiations for a final contract or
contracts.
As soon as the survey is completed we shall endeavour to find out the real wishes of the German group and endeavour, if possible, to accommodate ourselves to them, when, if we are in agreement between ourselves, negotiations with the Chinese Government can be resumed to much better advantage.
We are, &c. (British and Chinese Corporation, Limited),
W. KESWICK, Chairman.
(Signed)
Inclosure in No. 38.
33
and the suggestion that the partnership is to be dissolved is, no doubt, due to a misunderstanding which the Corporation's informants will try to clear up.
Considering the attitude taken up by the Chinese Government, the Corporation think that, until the survey of the British section is complete and they can assert themselves as having complied with all the conditions of the preliminary Agreement, it will be useless to continue negotiations for the final contract.
The Corporation will then endeavour to ascertain the real wishes of the German group, and to accommodate themselves to those wishes.
No. 41.
Sir,
British and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office.
3, Lombard Street, E.C., October 23, 1903. WE beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, in which the Marquess of Lansdowne is so good as to inquire whether we have any observations to make respecting the representation made by the German Minister in Peking to Sir E. Satow, that the German group desire to separate their interests in the Tien-tsin-Yang-tsze Railway from those of the British financiers.
We are much obliged to Lord Lansdowne for informing us of this representa- tion having been made, and for giving us the opportunity of expressing our views thereon, which we will do as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, we may remark that our friends in Berlin have not communicated with us, and we are greatly surprised at the news you give us of their desire to sever their interests from ours, because when last March they proposed dissolving the partnership between us and terms were being arranged, they withdrew from the negotiation and at a conference at Berlin, which the writer and Sir Ewen Cameron attended, it was arranged, at the instance of our German friends, that the partnership should continue.
We are, &c. (British and Chinese Corporation, limited),
(Signed) W. KESWICK, Chairman.
No. 39.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Salow.
Foreign Office, November 13, 1903.
(No. 347. Confidential.) Sir,
I HAVE received your despatch No. 326, Very Confidential, of the 19th Sep- tember, inclosing a Memorandum, dated the 18th September, of a conversation with your French colleague on the subject of the demand of the Chinese Government for the surrender of the six Shanghae journalists who are under arrest connected with the appearance of certain articles in the "Supao," and reporting your on charges reasons for not entering into communication with him at an earlier date.
the action taken by you in the matter. approve
1
(No. 252.)
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received November 16.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
TIEN-TSIN-CHINKIANG Bailway.
Your Lordship's telegram No. 181.
Peking, November 16, 1903.
The suggestion mentioned in my telegram No. 239 originated, I have reason to believe, with the Tien-tsin representative of the German group, and I think it was in consequence of a suggestion from him that my colleague spoke.
It might be better, under these circumstances, if the Corporation did not seek to "clear up the misunderstanding;" but, lest the Germans should come to think that we are playing into Chinese hands, it might be well if a beginning of the survey of the British section were proceeded with.
No. 42.
Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.~(Received November 18.)
Peking, November 18, 1903.
(No. 254) (Telegraphic.) F.
RUMOURED Russian railway from Hailar towards Peking My telegram No. 366 of last year.
No signs of rumoured railway were seen by Kidston and Flaherty, who have returned from Hailar,
Intention to construct is vaguely spoken of by Russian officers, who incline to the belief that the line will start from further west, passing through Kiahkta and Urga; but say
that point of junction with Siberian line has not yet been decided on nor any definite steps taken.
No natural difficulties would be presented by the route from Huilar to Dolon Nor, except for the last 120 miles, where probably insurmountable obstacle would be offered by the shifting sandhills. Sparsely scattered nomads are the only inhabitants, and construction in this direction would be a formidable undertaking, on account of the scarcity of water and absolute lack of wood and building materials.
No. 43.
(No. 181) (Telegraphic.) P.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
No. 40.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
TIEN-TSIN-CHINKIANG Railway.
Foreign Office, November 14, 1904. My telegram No. 174 of the 26th ultimo. According to a report which the British and Chinese Corporation have received from Borlin, there is no question of the separation of British and German interests,
Consul-General Warren to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received November 18.)
(No. 4.) (Telegraphic.) P.
Shanghae, November 18, 1903. ALLEGED anti-dynastic movement in Shanghae. A despatch has been received by the Senior Consul from the Viceroy at Nanking who agrees that the trial of the prisoners shall take place before the Mixed Court, and states that the Taotai has received instructions for the appointment of an officer who shall sit with the Magistrate of the Mixed Court. This telegram was also sent to Peking.
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