scheme than that
of
onto deaf ears.
having to discard the Chinese costume and quene.
63 This petition fell
The passive British attitude
towards protection was so obvious that it had convinced an authoritive
scholar to make the following concluding remark: "In case a British
subject has a second nationality, the nationality of either of the two
countries of which he is considered a subject is to be considered the
predominant nationality when he is residing in that country,
not be protected against the authorities of that country. In cases
application for protection is made to a consular officer by a
British subject, the former may require from the latter evidence showing
that he is not subject to the law of the country in which he is residing
before granting the desired protection.
where
"
,64
and he may
The British position of not providing protection for Chinese
subjects who had no intention of maintaining Chinese nationality and
were residing in China, led most observers, and even some high-ranking
Ching officers, to consider this as cooperative and understanding.
Yet, the Ching regime did not share this attitude, and had not
waived its right of protection, like the British, or even the right to
rule, whether they wre convereted British subjects or Chinese nationals,
whether they resided in China or in British territories. This fact was
demonstrated in various ways with various forms. The most obvious one
was to issue the "certificate of compatriot", similar to those issued to
to Chinese who visited China. Even
Hong Kong compatriots by the PRC,
British subjects were no exception.
conflict between Huang Tsui-hsien,
This conduct had been an issue of
an Ching Consul-General,
and the
65
Even after many
British Colonial Authorities in the Strait colonies.
years of protest by various parties concerned, the Ching regime never
seemed to comletely given up. Another method of showing its intention
to rule and to protect, was through her diplomatic stations in England.
25