5.
27
important that the interests of loyal British-
born subjects of Chinese race in British
Possessions should not be sacrificed for the
object of avoiding further conflicts with the
Chinese authorities or for any other object".
9. The first point to which I would draw
special attention is in paragraph 15 of Sir Miles Lampson's despatch. We feel that the Minister regards unduly lightly the possibility of unreasonable delay on the part of the
Chinese Authorities in the issue of denationalization
certificates and that it is unwise to ignore this risk.
The Chinese Goverment has not yet reached that position
of stability in which the possibility of sudden changes
involving serious risk of delay in the issue of denational-
ization certificates can be disregarded. We therefore
consider that arrangements should be made vi er eby an Anglo-
Chinese who can prove satisfactorily to the Consular
Authority that his certificate of denationalization is being unreasonably withheld, should, if otherwise accepta- ble, be registered and protected as a British Subject.
In paragraphs 16 to 19 of his despatch Sir Miles Lamps on discusses the position of the descendants of Anglo-Chinese who have obtained denationalization
certificates, and I would first observe that his proposals
proceed on the assumption that all such descendants will
be claimed by the Chinese Goverment as being of Ühinese Nationality. I have no knowledge of the Chinese view on this question, but should the Chinese Government disclaim
such descendants and admit that they possess Dritish Rationality only, the Minister's proposals would break down, for the descendants would have no Chinese Nationality
10.
to renounce and we should be morally bound, unless they wer
undesirable