CO129-479 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1923 [1-3] — Page 516

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COPY

ARAPHRAST

TELEGRAM.

511

The Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State

for the Colonies.

Dated: 23rd March,

(Received, Colonial Office, 1.12 a.m., 23rd March, 1923)

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I feel almost certain that I can get Sun Yat Sen to consent to immediate construction of the railway connecting

lines Canton-Hankow and Kowloon-Canton This would involve a

loan from British and Chinese corporation on terms similar to those on which the Chinese section of the Canton-Kowloon railway was built, coat of land resumption to be nutaalty agreed upon: money to be paid to the Canton authorities

as the land is handed over.

It is probable that Corporation will ask for a separate guarantee as additional security for a loan, I am consulting H.3Minister and if he can get the consent of the Peking Government to the loan may I be authorised to arrange privately with the corporation suitable guarantee by the Government of Hong Kong against 1088. In the interests of Hong Kong trade the loop-line

is urgently required. The longer the work is delayed

it becomes to acquire the more expensive and difficult

the necessary land,

It would be well worth our while if necessary to

bribe Sun to consent. A little money would be very

valuable to him in his present position.

STUBBS.