Marshal Chang Tokyo, Jan. 22.
According to press despatches from Mukden, Mr. K. Hayashi, the Japanese Consul-General there, yesterday initiated negotiations "with the Manchurian authorities regarding railway construction in Manchuria. is_stated that Mr, Hayashi ox-plained the Japanese views and that further negotiations will be conducted today by Mr, Kimura, 9 director of the South' Manchuria railway, who, in company with Mr. Hayashi, is planning to see Marshal Chang Heueh-liang this afternoon.
Pending the receipt of official despatches the Foreign Office is unable either to confirm or to refute these reports but courts the truth of the statement that Mr. Hayashi initiated negotiations although ited Marshal Chang Heueh-liang for the purpose of investing him with a high Japanese Order conferred by HM. the Emperor.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.