CO129-363 - Public Offices & Others - 1909 — Page 348

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evils of borrowing in such harrowing terms as to reduce some members to tears. He next explained the advantages of non-official management, and entered into such perfect details of the scheme as to remove all doubts and fears. Besides inviting share subscriptions from all the provinces, his plan included the issue of public shares against the salt, li-kin, and other taxes forming the loan security and the levy of shares (? forced subscription by each district or class) as beneficial to officials and people alike. His lengthy speech it was not possible to record accurately, and a full report will

appear later.

Mr. Hsia spoke briefly and forcibly, laying chief stress on the need for prompt telegraphic protests.

Then Mr. Liu Keng-tsao, member from Huang-pi, in impassioned words, urged co-operation as generally most acceptable. They must, he declared, amid great applause, show their feeling by action, that is by providing funds, and called on all willing to subscribe per cent. of their salaries and allowances to stand up. Everyone rose. He went on to urge the combination of the commercial, educational, and con- stitutional associations with every other body into a Hupei railways general society, and invited the delegates to draft its constitution. The delegates asked the aid of the members, and the president proposed ten names as the council's delegates for founding the society. Messrs. Chang and Lu (Chiang-hsia and P'u-ch'i) agreed to bring the commercial, educational, and constitutional associations into line, and recommended Messrs. Wan and Chin to put the delegates into direct relations with them and the Hankow General Association of Commerce. The borrowing of the Educational Association's premises for the society would give it immediate existence, and prove the council worthy in zeal for public good to represent the people.

The president thereon drafted a telegram to the Board of Communications, and on the morning of the 4th called on the Viceroy to enlist his Excellency's support.

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

141443

Acce

[December 8.] R224 DEC 09

347

SECTION 1,

[44708]

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir C. MacDonald.

(No. 203.) Sir,

Foreign Office, December 8, 1909. THE Japanese Ambassador informed me on the 2nd instant that his Government were cordially grateful to me for the answer I had given to the United States respecting the Tsitsihar Railway. Further consideration had convinced them that the making of this line would seriously affect the South Manchurian Railway in some respects, and, though they would not oppose commercial enterprise, they thought they must have compensation in the shape of participation in the new line.

The Ambassador also told me that Mr. Yamaza, of the Japanese Embassy, had met Mr. Browne, of Pauling's, last night. Mr. Browne had said that he was very glad to have the opportunity of speaking about the proposed railway, and had asked exactly what amount of participation Japan would like. Mr. Yamaza enquired what was the amount of the loan and the conditions on which it was secured. Though it was thought that Mr. Browne must have this information, he had withheld it.

I said that was not sure that we ourselves had this information. As we had been no party to the negotiations and had not intervened in any way, I did not expect that the details had been communicated to us.

I am, &c.

E. GREY.

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