We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 November 2008
British financial interests in China, since 1895, had been closely linked with political and strategic considerations. As the political and financial rivalry between the European powers intensified, the link tightened, becoming increasingly essential for mutual preservation. European finance meant railways, mineral rights, arms, and support for the ailing Manchu Dynasty; it was clear to successive British governments that British political supremacy in China could not survive the passing of such important financial concessions into foreign hands. In 1898, with the international scramble for concessions at its peak, the leading representatives of British finance in China co-operated fully with the Foreign Office to gain the bulk of Chinese railway contracts and concessions. Such respectable British enterprises as the British and Chinese Corporation and the Pekin Syndicate received active diplomatic support at Peking and the encouragement of the Foreign Office in London. Short of actually negotiating financial contracts on behalf of private companies British diplomacy could do little more to improve the competitive standing of these leading British firms vis-à-vis their foreign rivals.
1 Memorandum by Somers-Cocks, 9 February 1903, P.R.O. F.O. 17/1616.Google Scholar
2 Foreign Office to Pekin Syndicate, 8 January 1903, F.O. 17/1615.Google Scholar
3 Jamieson to Townley, 20 January 1903, enclosed in Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office, 26 February 1903, F.O. 17/1616.Google Scholar
4 Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office, 16 February 1903, F.O. 17/1616.Google Scholar
5 Townley to Lansdowne, 4 February 1903, F.O. 17/1603.Google Scholar
6 British and Chinese Corporation to Foreign Office, 12 March 1903, F.O. 17/1616.Google Scholar
7 Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office, 2 March 1903, F.O. 17/1616.Google Scholar
8 Townley to Lansdowne and minute by Campbell, 17 March 1903, F.O. 17/1603.Google Scholar
9 Memorandum by Campbell, 20 March 1903, F.O. 17/1617.Google Scholar
10 Foreign Office to British and Chinese Corporation, 24 March 1903, F.O. 17/1617.Google Scholar
11 Memorandum by Mallet, 16 January 1903, F.O. 17/1615.Google Scholar
12 Minute by Lansdowne, 18 January 1903, F.O. 17/1615.Google Scholar
13 Foreign Office to British and Chinese Corporation, 4 April 1903, F.O. 17/1617.Google Scholar
14 Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office, 9 April 1903, F.O. 17/1617.Google Scholar
15 Foreign Office to British and Chinese Corporation, 16 April 1903, F.O. 17/1617.Google Scholar
16 Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office with minutes by Langley and Campbell, 15 May 1903, F.O. 17/1618.Google Scholar
17 Townley to Lansdowne with minutes by Langley and Lansdowne, 20 May 1903, F.O. 17/1603.Google Scholar
18 Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office, 26 May 1903, F.O. 17/1618.Google Scholar
19 Lansdowne to Townley, 26 May 1903, F.O. 17/1602.Google Scholar
20 Townley to Lansdowne, 13 June 1903, F.O. 17/1603.Google Scholar
21 Townley to Campbell, 18 June 1903, F.O. 17/1598.Google Scholar
22 Lansdowne to Townley, 14 June 1903, F.O. 17/1602.Google Scholar
23 Townley to Lansdowne, 20 June 1903, F.O. 17/1603.Google Scholar
24 Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office, 14 July 1903, F.O. 17/1619.Google Scholar
25 Minute by Langley on Pekin Syndicate to Foreign Office, 14 July 1903, F.O. 17/1619.Google Scholar
26 Lansdowne to Townley, 16 July 1903, F.O. 17/1602.Google Scholar
27 Townley to Lansdowne, 20 July 1903, F.O. 17/1603.Google Scholar
28 Townley to Lansdowne, 10 August 1903, F.O. 17/1603.Google Scholar
29 Townley to Campbell, 13 August 1903, F.O. 17/1599.Google Scholar
30 Townley to Satow, 17 July 1903, Satow Papers P.R.O. 30/33/7/9.Google Scholar
31 Memorandum by Campbell, 26 June 1903, F.O. 17/1618.Google Scholar
32 Hongkong and Shanghai Bank to Foreign Office, 21 August 1903, F.O. 17/1620.Google Scholar
33 Minutes by Campbell and Lansdowne on Hongkong and Shanghai Bank to Foreign Office, 21 August 1903, F.O. 17/1620.Google Scholar
