11
Emperor of China, provided they had resided in the Colony
for three continuous years previous to the issue of a
Certificate of British Nationality.
That was a reversal of the previous practice as
laid down by the Law Officers in 1867 and I quite agree
with Sir H. May that its continuance in present circum-
stances in China is open to grave objections.
I am still more strongly of opinion that the
decision conveyed in the Foreign Office despatch No.12,
Treaty, of the 2nd September, 1904, extending similar
protection in China to Anglo-Chinese who have been
registered as British subjects at a British Consulate
in Siam and who have resided there continuously for
three years, is one which cannot be enforced in China
without raising serious difficulties of which we have
unfortunately had some practical experience.
As regards entering into negotiations with China
on the whole question, I see no special objection, but
as Mr. Hurst points out, we must be prepared to accept
an Agreement which will necessitate a reduction in the
extent to which we claim to protect Chinese at present.
The Dutch Government which has long had the
precise difficulties we have experienced has already
entered into negotiations with the Chinese Government
on the subject and happens to be in a peculiarly
favourable situation for arriving at a successful
solution. The Chinese are extremely anxious to obtain
the right of establishing Consulates in the Dutch
Possessions and the Dutch Government has promised to
entertain the request on the condition that an under-
standing is reached with regard to the treatment in
China of Dutch subjects of Chinese descent.
There are
thousands of persons of Chinese descent in Java and
Sumatra whose ancestors have been settled there for
Yet
generations and who have so far lost their original
nationality that they cannot even speak Chinese.
these persons if they happen to come to China are
claimed in theory at least by China as Chinese subjects.
The Dutch position is, therefore, a stronger one
even then ours and as they have a valuable quid pro
quo to offer, it might perhaps be advisable to let them
have an opportunity of solving the problem put by
The
Sir