to a satisfactory understanding he had paid too much reference to the existence
of a right as to the means of establishing
it in individual cases.
The extraterritorial clause I conceive, sufficiently provided for the time being against any
British subject from Chinese Jurisdiction, and the obligation of the Chinese govt to surrender
any
subject within their territories on demand by the proper authorities. How far has this principle ever been disputed by the Chinese. The only real
complication or doubt arising to be apprehended in the want of means to establish, either instantaneously or certainly the nationality of any individual of the Chinese race and type who may
I have
acquired the right of a British subject, whether by registration or by domicile and naturalisation. Sons of Chinese parents, with all their physical characteristics
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speaking the language and having the same regard as the natives, by their dress there is no
if no outward sign by which they may be distinguished as British subjects. Indeed there is no doubt that many from Hong Kong passed the frontier into China, and turn up double and account their seeming identity with natives, and their actual community from fundamental differences; many of these are affiliated in secret societies and bound up with treasonable plotting to the great disquiet of the
Under these circumstances & causes the subject appeared to me beset by practical difficulties of a
delicate character, if, while seeking to assert our right & protect those fairly entitled to consider themselves British subjects, we were unwilling to inflict a great injury