41
concerned, and the agreement with the Chinese
authorities, when oɔnoladed, should be embodied
at least in a formal exchange of notes.
If these negotiations are brought to a
successful issue it iɛ very desirable that the
Consular Officers on whom will devolve the duty
of carrying the scheme into effect should
realise that no agreement we may come to with
the Chinese Government can affect the British
nationality of the persons concerned. It is
somewhat misleading to say that we will "refuse
to recognise as British Subjects" the persons
who may be affected by the agreement, and the
use of this and similar phrases tends to
obscure the fact that British subjects of
Chinese race who fail to obtain certificates of
donationalisation will continue to possess dual
nationality. What it is proposed to deal with
in the scheme now under consideration is not
their British nationality but the question of
their protection and the exercise of jurisdic-
tion over thea in China. The proposed agree-
ent on the subject would be implemented, as
regards