FOREIGN
OFFICE
258
(20464/10).
infliction of torture is opposed to all experience and
to the traditional aims of British policy in China.
His Majesty's Government have always insisted as far
as possible on the presence of a British Official at
trials of mixed cases in China and such intervention
has been of the greatest value in the past. A Chin-
ese offender has an immeasurably better chance of a
fair trial if a foreigner is interested in his case,
than if he is left entirely to the tender mercies of
his own authorities.
The inhabitants of the leased territory are in
no worse position than those of Wei Hai Wei, Kiauchow,
Port Arthur and Dalny. The Germans and the Japanese
have precisely the same difficulties as those to which
Sir F. Lugard refers, and there is reason to believe
that they extend as little if not less protection than
that accorded by the British Authorities to those who
quit the leased territory.
With regard to future cases, Sir John Jordan will
on his return to China consult His Majesty's Consul
General