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C O
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government) 4 4 4 3
re°24 DEC 09.
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[44423]
No. 1.
[December 6.]
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 6.)
(No. 423.) Sir,
Peking, November 16, 1909. IN continuation of my despatch No. 412 of the 12th instant, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a further despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Hankow, reporting the steps which the Provincial Council of Hupei is adopting with a view to having the proposal for a railway loan cancelled by the Central Government.* On the death of Chang Chih-tung the loan negotiations were, as already reported, transferred to the Board of Communications, but that department has so far made no move in the matter. I understand, however, that Mr. Cordes, the agent of the German group, approached the President of the Board a few days ago on the subject, and obtained an assurance that the intention was to continue the negotiations from the point they had reached before Chang's death. Chang Chih-tung's position as ex- Viceroy of the Hukuang provinces and Grand Councillor was very different from that occupied by Hsü Shib-ch'ang, the President of the Board of Communications, and it seems to me very doubtful whether the latter will be prepared to face the provincial opposition, which seems to be assuming serious proportions, as will be seen from a further despatch received from Mr. Fraser and enclosed herewith.†
I have, &c.
*
Hankow, No. 62, 1909.
[2538 -1]
J. N. JORDAN.
Hankow, No. 65, 1909.
Fune
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