CO129-410 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [3-5] — Page 211

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Paraphrase of telegram from the Governor/Hong Kong to the:

Secretary of State for the Colonies,

(Received, Colonial Office 4.20.p.m. 3rd April, 1914).

CUST 4 IPR 14,

!

for

I learn that a preliminary agreement has been signed at Peking granting a concession to a French Syndicate to build a railway from Gunnanfu to Poseh Nanning and Pakhoi. The section from Poseh to Nanning would forestall a proposal put forward by a British firm in Hong Kong, Macdonald and Company, e railway to Poseh Nanning and Wuchow from Szemao by which trade would be brought to Hong Kong and the West River. French proposal should therefore be opposed. If it is too late to do so then British firm mentioned are prepared to alter route so as to run direct to Wuchow from Poseh. In the interests of Hong Kong trade this proposal should be strongly supported.

I have sent a copy of this message to the British Minister at Peking by mail.

MAY.