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from the Chinese Government are much what was to be
expected.
I have already more than three years ago
placed my view on record that we should be well advised
to refrain from further argument on the subject and
tacitly accept the Chinese Nationality Law, which
would mean that British subjects of Chinese race
visiting or residing in China would have to understand that, while entitled to the general good offices and advice of His Majesty's Consuls, they would, unless denationalised under the Chinese Law, be recognised
as possessing also Chinese nationality and therefore
according to international practice have no claim to
British protection against the Chinese authorities in
China. I understand and sympathise with the point
of view of the Malayan Governments, but, in view of
the attitude of the Chinese Government and of the
recognised principles of International Law as affecting
the question, I cannot see that any useful purpose
will be served by pursuing the matter further with the
Wai Chiao Pu.
13.
As regards the Dutch arrangement, it is possible
that the Netherlands authorities may consider this to
be still in force, but there is, I think, considerable
doubt as to the extent to which it continues in practice to be
recognised by the Chinese authorities.
When I was
recently in Amoy I gathered from à conversation with
the Netherlands (merchant) Consul that that while he,
the Consul, was still guided in his registration of 7 Butche
British subjects of Chinese race by the terms of this
arrangement,