337
reasonable the Governor's proposals to
British subject, and the children of
British subjects, wherever born, are
also subjects of His Majesty. It there-
fore follows that the children of per-
sons who are British subjects otherwise
than by naturalisation are British
subjects although they may have been
born in China or elsewhere outside
the Dominions of the Crown. In these
circumstances he is not prepared to
agree to the restrictions proposed by
Sir F.Lugard on the recognition of
persons in the fourth class as British
subjects, and he considers that they
should continue to receive protection
when in China.
13. As to Class five, that is,
children born in Hong Kong (or else-
where in British territory) of
parents who are Chinese subjects I
am to say that while regarding as
reasonable
protect such persons only on their giving
proof of continuous residence in the
Colony or a Treaty port and of the animus
manendi, Mr Harcourt thinks it undesirable
to make any concession in the matter un-
less during the negotiations with the
Chinese Government such a step should
appear necessary.
14. Chinese residents in Hong Kong
and Kowloon at the time of cession (of
whom there must be few or none alive)
and their children (Classes 6 & 7) must
in Mr Harcourt's view be British subjects
and be entitled to protection.
15. As to the status of persons
resident in the New Territory of Hong
(class 8),
Kong at the time of cession
Sir Edward
Grey will remember that the Law Officers
of the Crown have advised that they are
British subjects, while the Chinese
Government regard them as subjects of
China..