861.77/1662: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:30 p.m.]
1230. Your 862 August 11, 6 p.m. My 1143 July 29, 7 p.m. referred to tentative proposal reported in my 836 May 22, 1 p.m.62 regarding control, protection and financing of Chinese Eastern Railroad which Foreign Office brought to the attention of French through French Embassy, London, the channel through which most of the correspondence with French on the subject takes place. All such communications have been merely tentative seeking for a solution. In reply to French statement that the plan is not considered practicable because Japanese would not consent, the Foreign Office has communicated its opinion as reported in my 1143. From this attitude and from fact that no reply has been received from French to inquiry referred to in my 1104, July 22, 2[?] p.m.63 the Foreign Office infers [Page 707] French disinclination to proposal but is not aware of definite objection thereto.
British Group still apparently in favor of consortium financing the railway. Relevant portions of your 838 August 5th will be discussed in subsequent telegram.