C
98 2765
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Rec2 28 JAN 10 [December 29.]
SECTION 2.
[47122]
No. 1.
Sir A. Nicolson to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received December 29.)
(No. 520.) (Telegraphic.) P.
St. Petersburgh, December 29, 1909. IN conversation to-day M. Isvolsky again mentioned the Chinchow-Aigun railway scheme. His Excellency wishes to know whether the project has been or will be supported diplomatically by Ilis Majesty's Government and whether the concession has been granted by the Chinese Government. M. Isvolsky referred once more to the exchange of notes in 1899, and mentioned also that Russia had received assurances from China that any concessions granted in the regions to be traversed by the railway should first be offered to Russia. The line now proposed would be of strategical importance, and he hinted that it might be necessary for Russia to remind the Chinese Government seriously of their promises.
I understand that, in conversation with the United States Ambassador on this subject, M. Isvolsky spoke in warm tones, but said at the same time that his remarks were not official and were only of a general character. He gave me to understand that in his opinion the action of the United States Government in the matter of the railway and the attitude which they were adopting with regard to the Harbin question could scarcely be considered friendly. I pointed out that the participation of Russia in the Aigun railway scheme might be arranged, and expressed my conviction that no unfriendly feelings towards Russia were entertained by the United States Government. To this M. Isvolsky replied that he was at a loss to understand why Russia, to whom the matter was of so much importance, had not been consulted, and why the scheme had apparently become an accomplished fact before she knew of its existence.
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