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the Dutch Authorities.
The Diplom¬tic Body Committee which (as reported in
xý denbatch No, 374) wan to be set up to discuss the question
of the Chinese Nationality Law in its relation to the "Mixed
Court Protege" scandals, has sinco materialised in the form of
the Chinese Secretaries to the American, British, Dutch and
Japanese Tegatione, under the presidency of the former; only
one meeting has so far been held, at which the Acting Chinese
Recretary to this Legation placed before his Colleagues the
view that if the C ›mmittee was merely to study the Chinese
Nationality Taw in its application to the question of Chinese
acquiring foreign mtionality or protection in China ( a question
which could not arise in connection with imeri com, British, Dutch
or Japanese Nationality or protection since the sare could in no
cane be required in Ching) they could only support the Chinese
Contention and condemn the practice of the Latin Powers concerned
in this respect. In this view the other members of the Committee
concurred, and it was decided to refer to the Dean for further in-
struction ar to the aspects of the question to be studied.
Am
at-ted in my despatch No. 374 above referred to, I am doubtful
whether any ameful nurpose will be served by this Committee and
A