Copy.
Translation.
Enclosure No. 6 in Swatow No. 27 of June 29th, 1927.
Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Swatow,
to
H.M. Consul.
Swatow, June 24th, 1927.
73
Sir,
With reference to the arrest and fining of Low Peng Kiah
by the Opium Suppression Bureau, I have already had the honour
to inform you in my letter of the 17th instant that the Bureau
has stated that while Low Peng Kiah was on their premises he
admitted that he was a native of Chao An and stated that he
was prepared to submit to the fine and to pay over the amount
fixed.
In your letter of the 17th instant, which I have since
received, you do not make the slightest reference to Low Peng
Kiah's admission and to his willingness to pay the fine. I
am not aware whether when you wrote your letter, you had
received mine of the same date. If when you sent your letter
you had already received mine, the fact that you made no
reference to Low's admission is tantamount to recognizing
that the statement on the Opium Suppression Bureau's letter
was true.
Chinese who break the law in Chinese territory are dealt
with by Chinese law, and no other Government is in any way
concerned in such a matter. In these circumstances, how can
you claim that Low Peng Kiah is a British subject.
With reference to your statement that you are reporting
on the case to your Government and to the British Minister at
Peking, I have the honour to inform you that I also am report-
ing to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the matter.