CO129-471 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 266

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THE EASTERN EXTENSION AUSTRALASIA AND CHINA TELEGRAPH COMPANY

Limited.

CHINESE

NEGOTIATIONS.

The proposal for the "TRIPLICATION" of the China Coast Cables consists of the laying by the Companies of a third line of cables between Hongkong, Amoy, Foochow, and Shanghai, with a connection at Swatow if the necessary details for this connection

can be satisfactorily arranged with the Administration,

The Companies consider they have the right to lay a

triplicate line at their own expense without asking for Chinese

perzission.

The proposed strengthening of the Shanghai-Chefco-Taku

connection with Peking by laying a duplicate cable between

Chefoo and Shanghai is on an entirely different footing to the

Triplicattion question, inasmuch as it would have to be carried

out at the expenes of the Chinese and therefore decided by them.

They have already accepted the principle of duplicating the line by ordering the manufacture of a duplicate cable botween Shanghai

and Chefoo from a Japanese firm in Yokohama,

The existing cablas between Shanghai, Chefoo and Taku are

worked by the Companies, but will revert to the Chinese in 1930,

or at their option in 1925 provided they then pay to the

Companies the balance of instalmonta.

The continued working by the Companies of these cables is

important to International interests, and especially to the

Great Northern Corpany to enable them to provide an effective

"Throughy