The Ordinance is very indefinite and capable of much wider construction than is contemplated by Act XXI. "The Treaty of Pientsin, which merely mentions 'Criminals Subjects of China', and with a view to the preparation of a Schedule.
The new Ordinance, such as might prevent future misconstruction, I mentioned the cooperation of Sir Brooke Robertson, Her Majesty's Canal at Canton.
I enclose a copy of the letter addressed to him with his reply.
5. The latter contains a list of Offences against the Laws of China to the number of 38, which Sir Brooke considers should be included in the Extradition Schedule, and he states in support of his opinion:
1st That the Schedule should be framed from the offences found in the Chinese Imperial Code.
2nd That in consequence it should embrace offences which English Law regards as Civil.
3rd That the investigation of extradition cases should be by Commission instead of by the Police Magistrates.
4th That the investigation should be somewhat private (excluding pleaders) and that the ordinary procedure...