2
+
During this time it is probable that installations will voluntarily introduced on a large proportion of the craft concerned, so that it will then be possible to enforce an necessary legislation with much less friction and opposit on the part of the shipping interests than would be the at present. Also the measures which are at present being taken for the training of operators should by then have resulted in a supply of competent operators essential for the carrying out of the policy.
B.
The question of the nationality of the
operators is referred to both in the enclosed memorandum of the Conference at Shanghai and in the letter from the
Chamber of Commerce. It would of course be out of the
question to attempt to limit the issue of operators' lice to persons of European race, especially since many of the ships concerned are Chinese owned; and in the special
circumstances of the China Coast there seems very little
be gained by attempting to enforce a nationality test in
accordance with the instructions in Lord Harcourt's
Confidential Circular despatch of the 17th of January, 19
since the distinction between Chinese who are in a positi
to claim British nationality and those who are not is of
very little importance from the point of view of securing
the objects indicated in that despatch, which in North Ch
while
the difficulty of finding operators who could claim Briti
nationality would probably be considerable.
6.
As you are aware this question of national
is a very difficult one in China owing to the fact that
Chinese really possess a dual nationality, and it has hitherto been the policy of the British Authorities to a giving documents admitting British nationality, except to persons of established reputation and with special claimi to consideration. Therefore, both on grounds of convenit
and
38