CO129-374 - Public Offices & Others - 1910 — Page 503

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

CHINA RAILWAYS.

CONFIDENTIAL.

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[October 6.]

SECTION 2.

487

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received October 6.)

Downing Street, October 5, 1910. WITH reference to your letter of the 12th September and to the letter from this department of the 27th August, I am directed by the Earl of Crewe to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir Edward Grey, the accompanying copies of despatches from the acting governor of Hong Kong with regard to the proposed railway and customs agreements with the Chinese Government. A copy of a letter from Sir Frederick Lugard is also enclosed.*

2. I am to state that the question of the procedure to be adopted in negotiating with the Chinese Government was discussed on the 2nd October at an informal conference between Sir John Jordan, Sir Frederick Lugard, and a member of this department.

3. It was agreed that the principle of joint management of the two sections of the railway should be pressed upon the Government of China, but that it would be well not to employ the proposed customs agreement as offering a quid pro quo to China for the concession involved in joint management unless and until the Viceroy of Canton should be prepared to recommend the customs agreement to the authorities at Peking.

4. Lord Crewe shares this view, and he accordingly has informed the acting governor that for the present the question of the customs agreement should not be brought into the negotiations.

5. His Lordship would be glad to learn what answer should be returned to Sir Henry May's despatch of the 26th August as to the negotiation of the customs agreement.

6. I am to add that Sir J. Jordan expressed the opinion that, in the event of the Chinese being prepared to continue the discussion of the railway matter on the lines of the Hong Kong draft proposals, the attendance of Mr. Lindsey at Peking would be of great service; but that a decision might well await the development of the present position. Lord Crewe has accordingly instructed the Government of Hong Kong to send Mr. Lindsey to Peking if Sir J. Jordan should hereafter desire his presence.

7. Mr. Lindsey will in any case meet Sir F. Lugard at Peking on the 17th October for the purpose of semi-official communications with the Chinese authorities preparatory · to the resumption of official negotiations.

I am, &c.

G. V. FIDDES.

* Officer administering the Government of Hong Kong, August 17, 26, and 27; Sir F. Lugard, September 28, 1910 (not printed).

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