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This demand was not complied with, and after prolonged negotiations between the Diplomatic Body at Peking and the Chinese Government it was agreed that all the accused should be tried in the Settlement before a Chinese Magistrate specially appointed for the purpose and a foreign Assessor.
The trial took place before a Court so constituted and Chang Ping-lin and Chon Yung were sentenced to imprisonment for life by the Chinese Magistrate.
The British Assessor dissented from these sentences and they were eventually reduced in the case of Chang to three years and of Chon to two years imprisonment, both prisoners at the expiration of those terms to be banished from the Settlement.
His Majesty's Minister at Peking has recently been in communication with His Majesty's Consul General at Shanghai respecting the disposal of the prisoners when their sentences of imprisonment shall have expired, and I am to inclose, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies a copy of a despatch from Sir Pelham Warren in which he discusses the possibility of the men on their release being sent to Hong Kong on board a British steamer.
Consul General Warren expresses the opinion that they would not be safe in the Settlement, and there can be no doubt that they would be in still greater danger anywhere in China outside the Settlement.
The case has throughout aroused considerable interest among the British residents at Shanghai and I am to suggest for Mr. Secretary Lyttelton's consideration, that inquiries might be made of the Colonial Authorities whether in the circumstances there would be any objection to Chang Ping-lin and Chon Yung with their own consent being sent to Hong Kong on a British vessel when they have served their terms of imprisonment.
I am,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
I. Campbell