CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 252

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On the same day, namely, the 20th January, I telegraphed to Mr. Hillier as follows:-

"British and Chinese Corporation claim participation from Chinese Government as compensation for Fa-ku-men contract. In terms of intergroup agreement British and Chinese Corporation must offer share Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and Banque de l'Indo-Chine. Suggest to W. D. Straight equal division loan among

who four groups, would each contribute proportionately amounts required to provide for eventual Japanese and possibly Russian participation."

Mr. Hillier replied on the 22nd instant as follows:-

"Terms of agreement preclude equal participation four groups, but W. D. Straight is telegraphing New York, British, and Chinese Corporation application for financial participation in co-operation with Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and Banque de l'Indo-

Chine."

That is as far as the matter has gone up to the present. I shall keep you informed of any subsequent developments which, it seems to me, are likely to be very complicated. The assent of Japan and Russia would appear to be an indispensable preliminary, and until this has been obtained, the report that the negotiations are receiving the support of the British Government may be dismissed as incorrect or at least premature.

Yours, &c.

C. S. ADDIS.

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Since replying to Mr. Rehder's letter this morning, I have received the enclosed telegram from Mr. Hillier :-

"Until our three groups have come to an agreement with the Americans as to the division of their respective engineering sections in the Hankow-Szechuan line, I am of opinion that any protest against the action of the Chinese Government in inviting tenders for the supply of rolling-stock, &c., on the Hankow-Canton Railway would be premature.

"The matter, however, is of such importance that I should like to have an expres- sion of opinion from our French and German colleagues before replying to Mr. Hillier's telegram."

Yours, &c.

C. 8. ADDIS.

(3.)

Mr. C. S. Addis to Herr Rehders.

Dear Herr Rehders,

January 26, 1910. SINCE writing you this morning, I have received the enclosed telegram from Mr. Hillier :----

"Until our three groups have come to an agreement with the Americans as to the division of their respective engineering sections in the Hankow-Szechuan line, I am of opinion that any protest against the action of the Chinese Government in inviting tenders for the supply of rolling stock, &c., on the Hankow-Canton railway would be premature.

"The matter, however, is of such importance that I should like to have an expression from our German and French colleagues before replying to Mr. Hillier's telegram."

Yours, &c.

(4)

C. S. ADDIS.

Telegram received from Peking January 26, 1910.

HUNAN Railway Company advertise 15th January requesting tenders for loco- motives, rolling stock, Chuchow division, Hankow-Canton Railway. Our opinion is immediate explanation should be requested from Board of Communications (Yuchuanpu), Peking; but unless group have come to final arrangement and are prepared to act unitedly it will be very unsafe to risk disturbance of present position, which is that group are waiting for Board of Communication (Yuchuanpu), Peking, re-open negotiations, we strongly recommend foregoing position to serious consideration of group.

(5.)

Dear M. Simon,

Mr. C. S. Addis to M. Simon.

January 26, 1910.

I ENCLOSE, for your information, a copy of a letter received to-day from Mr. Rehders, together with copy of my reply.

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