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(2)
4. Looking at the proposed action purely from the
standpoint of the permanent Chinese population of British
Malaya, the refusal of His Majesty's Government henceforth
to attempt to afford protection to such of them as may from
time to time wish to return to China will inevitably cause
hardship in individual instances, and will in some measure
injure our prestige, but I question whether the cause of the
latter is well served by the advancement of claims which,
in practice, it is frequently found to be quite impossible
effectively to enforce. On the other hand, I would empha-
sise the fact that the class of persons affected by this
decision in whom the Governments of British Malaya are
principally interested in this connection are not British
subjects or British protected persons residing in China,
but persons of Chinese race who habitually reside in British
Malaya but who, from time to time, desire to visit China.
I would urge that it is most desirable that, even though
the claim to protect all British subjects residing in China
be abandoned, some modus vivendi should be arranged with the
local Chinese authorities whereby some reasonable and effec-
tive measure of protection and assistance can be afforded by
our Consuls to such temporary visitors from British Malaya.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Governor.
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