[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governmen
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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
(16634]
(No. 158.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received May 3.)
REG 21 MAY 09
[May 3.]
SEOTION 3.
370
Peking, April 15, 1909.
I HAVE the honour to inclose a translation of a note from Prince Ching of the 5th instant, laying down a new procedure for the issue of passports by the Chinese authorities to subjects of non-Treaty Powers travelling in China.
It is understood that this measure has arisen from the assumption by Germany of charge over Turkish interests in China, as reported in my despatch No. 334, Confiden- tial, of the 14th July last, though the claim of Japan for extra-territorial privileges on behalf of the Coreaus, of whom there are some 40,000 in Kan-tao, has doubtless contributed towards raising a question of serious importance to several nationalities. The French-Swiss, for example, who are under the protection of the French Legation, and the German-Swiss, under the German Legation, have hitherto enjoyed extra- territorial privileges which can scarcely be willingly abandoned, while the subjects of Balkan States, hitherto protected by the Russian Legation, would become actually amenable to Chinese jurisdiction if this measure is not challenged.
As we are unaffected thereby, no action on my part appears necessary for the present; but I understand my German colleague is awaiting the observations of his Consul-General at Shanghae, to whom he has sent a copy of Prince Ching's note, before replying to his Highness that he is sending the communication to his Government for their consideration.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Prince Ching to Sir J. Jordan.
(Translation.) Sir,
April 5, 1909. WHEN the subject of a non-Treaty Power resides or travels in China, protection should be afforded to and jurisdiction exercised over him by China on exactly the same footing as in the case of Chinese subjects. Hitherto, owing to the absence of any fixed procedure for issuing passes to such persons when travelling, provisional instructions were given to the provincial authorities that passports need not be issued to them. Now, however, a form of pass has been decided upon by the Board to be issued to the subjects of non-Treaty Powers when travelling, and has been forwarded to the provincial authorities. In future, when an application for permission to travel is made by the subject of a non-Treaty Power, a pass in the form fixed by the Board will be issued to him by the Commissioner for International Affairs in the case of a province where such an officer has been appointed and in other cases by the Customs Taotai. When a passport for the purpose of travelling for pleasure is applied for on behalf of the subject of a non-Treaty Power by the Consul of another Power, a pass in the same form will be issued. Local authorities shall, after inspec tion of the pass, afford all proper protection, and treat the bearer in the same manner as a Chinese subject.
Instructions to this effect have been issued to the Governors-General and Governors of all the provinces, and I have now the honour to inclose a copy of the form of pass, and to request that the necessary instructions may be issued to the Consuis.
I avail, &c. (Signed) Prince CHING.
[2265 c-8]