What course should be taken. On the one hand the United States might with reason object to a wholesale immigration being made to a stricter Australian policy. On the other hand, they might well protest against respectable migrants & others, bona fide British Merchants belonging to Hong Kong being excluded from the United States because of their Chinese descent. The definition of "Chinese" must be made clear, & on one fact we might offer to furnish all bona fide British subjects total number & the United States citizens with passports.
Does the Home Office suggest that no bona fide British subject should be excluded from the United States on account of his being of Chinese descent, but that before suggesting any representation being made to the United States for Lord Granville's consideration, we should address Despatches to the Colonies concerned enquiring about the number of naturalised or British Born Chinese who proceed to the United States from Hong Kong. How will this affect the Colonies & what are their views on this?
I would suggest replying to the Foreign Office that it appears to Lord Derby that under one treaty term "very few" Miles ought to be the limit, 15. With the suggestions, the re-assured. And as to the principle often in the meantime to ascertain as far as may be feasible what the ultimate solution of the present uncertainty will be.
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