[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[45015]
No. 1.
[December 18.]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Messrs. Pauling and Co. to Foreign Office.(Received December 18.)
26, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, December 17, 1909.
WITH reference to the interview which Mr. George Pauling had the honour of holding with Sir Francis Campbell, I am desired to inform you that, by advices received from Lord ffrench in this mail, we are informed that the issuing of the final edict sanctioning the construction of the line from Chenchow to Aigun is near at band. We would, therefore, once more venture to draw your attention to the inadvisable situation that might be created if this edict be issued without the Japanese having stated the moderate participation in the scheme which we have been led to understand the Japanese Government desires.
Once the edict is issued, we venture to assert it will be very much more difficult to obtain a participation for the Japanese and the Chinese consent to that participa- tion. The American Government also would be less likely to give way to any Japanese claim.
You will allow us to point out that, while Japan has led many to suppose that she will not oppose the construction of this line, her action in delaying to define her participation produces to all intents and purposes the same result as if she were opposing it.
If the Japanese Government keep on delaying the definition of their participation, what other reason can there be but that, by creating a delay, to further her policy of preventing the construction of the line altogether,
May we once more, in the most earnest manner, respectfully request His Majesty's Government to render to British contractors the support and assistance which the American Government is undoubtedly rendering to her subjects in this matter.
We are, &c.
PAULING AND Co.
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