CONFIDENTIAL
Copy No. 180
As to the degree of suspicion, we think it reasonable evidence is required to be accepted as sufficient: such, for example, as would lead a Grand Jury, in this country, to find a true Bill, where the evidence is ex parte only, or such as, without evidence on both sides, would induce a Magistrate to commit for trial. It is at the same time quite clear, from the letter of the Treaty (Article III) that it is only on proof of their guilt, that Chinese criminals can be demanded by Chinese officers, and the proof intended can, of course, be no other than proof sufficient to satisfy the minds of those, the British officers, who have to determine the question at this preliminary stage.
We have,
Signed) W. Atherton
Clowell Wylde
Robert Phillimore