747
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C. O.
CHINA RAILWAYS,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[33580]
No. 1.
34965
¡REC
(Rect 25 OCT 09
[September 6.]
SECTION 5.
Mr. Rumbold to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 6.)
(No. 49. Very Confidential.) (Telegraphic.) P.
HANKOW-CANTON Railway.
Tokyo, September 6, 1909.
Messrs. Paulings and Oriental Exploitation Syndicate. Commercial attaché has learnt from head of Political Bureau of Foreign Office that an arrangement has been come to between these two in regard to above railway. By this arrangement, though no agreement has been signed on the subject, any concession obtained by the one is to be shared by the other. They are to afford each other as much assistance as possible while having the appearance of being competitors in the eyes of the Chinese. Hence necessity for secrecy. The arrangement, which apparently relates to the construction of Hankow-Canton Railway only, was settled between a representative of Mitsui and Co.'s and Lord ffrench.
Above-mentioned syndicate is of a financial character. Should it obtain any contracts they will be sublet to Japanese firms, and no railway material will be supplied by the syndicate itself.
(Repeated to Peking.)
[2413 ƒ-5]
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