over-cautions
a remarkable change.
191612.
308
Please see also 4141.
It is a great pity that the question of the status
of the inhabitants of the leased territory has
been raised in this manner.
The L.0. have reported
them to be British subjects, but another view is
taken as to the inhabitants of WHW., and the Ger-
mans at Kiaochau take the same attitude as we
do at WHW., i.e. the inhabitants are treated
as Chinese subjects outside the leased terri-
tory.
Even if the leased territory were British ter-
ritory for all time, the Chinese Govt. would
claim as usual that persons of e Chinese
origin are Chinese subjects in China.
Even if they admitted them to be British
subjects, they would be right in refusing to
extradite them. They would be dealt with by
our Consular Courtfin China under the Fugitive
Offenders Act.
It is regrettable therefore that our Consul
Gen. at Canton should have taken action of high kant
international importance, without referring to higher
authorities for instructions. He based his action or
a conf. desp. from Mr. Chamberlain to the Gov.
H
of .K., supplied to him by Sir F.Lugard.
I would send copy of this tel. to F.0., saying
that we propose to reply that aft
under existing treaties
in any case there was no valid ground for demanding
extradition of the accused, and that he should carry out ă
whatever
his instructions without making any admission/as to
A
the status of the inhabitants of the leased terri-
tory, but without indulging in
any
further controver-
The Yor, who bays his action on the desire securs shardy justice.
sy at present.
Add in writing to F.0. that Lord Crewe considers
that the question of status should be allowed to
drop in the manner least prejudicial to any future
contention that we may wish to uphold, and say that it
seems regrettable that this important question
should have been raised in communications to the Chinese
Viceroy without previous reference to H.K.Govt.
ASC
17/2
Норигод to proceed
Fü
&
HB
17/2
Yes,
Consult
Zla
Zo.
17.2
almen