23
controversial issues which it would be
preferable to avoid. It is not clear
with what object these enquiries have
been made by the French Consul at Hong
Kong, but it would appear from the
Governor's despatch of the 30th of
December 1926 that the enquiries have
arisen out of correspondence relating
to the treatment of Asiatic British
subjects by the French authorities in
Indo-China. If this is the case, it
would appear unnecessary to refer to
Whilerinehat
the question of /circumstances in
would
we protection wig be accorded to
British subjects of Chinese race in China,
and the Secretary of State proposes,
therefore, subject to Sir Austen
Chamberlain's concurrence, to omit
any reference to this question on the
ground that it is not strictly relevant
to the matter under debate.
I am,
etc
(Signed) WALTER D. ELLIS
(1)