It would be far safer if they return as Chinese than if they return under the protection of British jurisdiction.
A Chinese British subject who goes up country, far from Consular Ports, runs a decided chance of being quite murdered, simply because he is a British subject.
There is a case constantly cited in connection with this part of the subject which may be told in a few words.
The British Consul at Amoy went to the local Yamun in behalf of a respectable Anglo-Chinese who had been illegally arrested and impressed. While the Consul was protecting him, another British subject was being beaten to death; and the Consul returned home almost at the moment that the mutilated Chinaman's body was, in mockery, deposited at his door.
It would, I think, be best to defer sending the petition to the F.O. I ask what reply should, in Lord Salisbury's opinion, be returned to it. [If any part of the statements in it are quite incorrect]
T.C.M. 26/7 Before referring to F.O., wait till petition comes from Govr of Hong Kong and sends it & reports upon it.
Lord Charles Beresford retaining enclosures says that when the Govr sends it, it will have Mr. Chamberlain's full attention. Let me be informed at once.
C.O. 76.07 July 22/95 10373 Recd REaP 24 JUL 19
2, LOWER BERKELEY STREET, PORTMAN SQUARE July 22
My dear Thombet, I send you a copy of the Petition I mentioned to you as coming from Hong Kong. I hope you will deal with it with the consideration. I can vouch for the...