CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 23

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

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CHINA RAILWAYS.

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2/913

RECO [August 88 SEP 10

CONFIDENTIAL.

[30091]

No. 1.

SECTION 1.

Mr. Max Müller to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received August 18.)

(No. 261.) Sir,

WITH reference to my telegram No. 136 of to-day, I have the honour to

Peking, August 2, 1910. transmit herewith the translation of a note which I have received from the Wai-wu Pu in reply to the identic notes addressed to them on the 13th July by the French, German, and American Ministers and myself, requesting the Imperial sanction to the loan agreements for the construction of the Hupei-Ilunan section of the Hunkow- Canton Railway and the Hupei section of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway.

The Wai-wu Pu state that the matter is in the hands of the Board of Communi- cations, and they request me to notify the representative of the British group to negotiate direct with the Board.

As soon as I have had an opportunity of discussing the Wai-wu Pu's note with my colleagues I shall have the honour of reporting further to you on the subject.

I have, &c. (In the absence of His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires),

E. SCOTT.

Enclosure in No. 1.

Sir,

Wai-wu Pu to Mr. Max Müller.

August 1, 1910. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 13th July, stating that on the 6th June, 1909, the representatives of the British, French, and German banks concluded an agreement for a loan for the construction of the Hupei-- Hunan section of the Hankow-Canton Railway and of the Hupei section of the Hankow-Szechuan Railway with his Excellency the Grand Secretary, Chang Chih- tung. Further, that subsequently a supplementary agreement was drawn up providing for the participation in the loan of an American group. You added that more than a year has elapsed since the conclusion of the agreement of the 6th June, 1909, and you requested me to obtain Imperial sanction for the aforesaid agreements to be definitely signed and put into operation; moreover, you ask for a reply to your note as soon as possible.

I have the honour to observe that after the death of the Grand Secretary, Chang Chih-tung, an Imperial decree was issued referring the matter to the Board of Communications, who were ordered to make proper arrangements.

I have now received your despatch referred to above, and it has been transmitted by this Board to the Board of Communications for their information and for them to arrange matters.

I have the honour to address this reply for your information, and request that you will notify the representatives of the banks to negotiate the matter satisfactorily direct with the Board of Communications,

I avail, &c.

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