STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. FEDERATED MALAY STATES.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
GOVERNO
STRAITS
SE
TLEMENTS
46
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
4430
9.86
SINGAPORE.
October, 1933.
بوی
page & lost! and. to (1)
In reply to your Confidential Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States despatch of 12th June, 1933, on the subject of the dual nationality of British subjects of Chinese race, I have the honour to say that I am in general agreement with the suggestions made in paragraph 4 of Mr. Orde's letter of 19th May, 1933, enclosed with your despatch, and that in
particular I am of the opinion that no good purpose would be served by contesting further the standpoint taken up by the
Government of China in regard to transient visitors. Majesty's Government has admitted the principle that:
His
"a State may not afford diplomatic protection to "one of its nationals against a State whose "nationality such person also possesses",
and it is obvious that the Government of China will not yield
on this point of principle when one notes the following
declaration of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"If, therefore, in the present position of exist- "ing Chinese legislation it is desired to further "discuss this question, there is very little "likelihood of any complete result being thereby "attainable."
(See the Wai Chiao Pu letter of 15th February, 1933, to Sir
Miles Lampson, enclosed with his despatch of 27th February,
1933, to Sir John Simon.) I agree, therefore, that the arrange-
ment in regard to transient visitors, contemplated in the
original instructions to Sir Miles Lampson, should be abandoned; for, if is Majesty's Government cannot give transient visitors diplomatic protection, the good offices and the advice of
Consuls will not avail them much.
The Right Honourable
Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, P.C., G.B.E.,
etc.,
etc.,
etc., COLONIAL OFFICE.
2.