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Acting under Mr. J. Chamberlain's instructions this Government had regarded the people of the New Territories as British subjects, and they had been led to so regard themselves. An inhabitant of the New Territori- -es comanitted a shocking murder of a British subject (an Indian) in the New Territories and fled to China where he was arrested. Application was made for his surrender to the British Consul for trial and was refused by a new and anti- -British Viceroy. His Majesty's Government instructed me not to admit the validity of the Chinese claim, but to give way in this instance. The man was tried in a Chinese Court, and
a British Officer attended to give evidence. The criminal would not confess and an adjournment was made during which the British Officer though he had no grounds whatever for assuming it and protesting was nevertheless well aware that torture was being applied. The man then confessed and was executed.
ix.
Married women including inferior wives follow the nationality of their husbands, children by a former husband following the nationality of their father. Unmarried adult women (prostitutes), same rules as for men. Children of unmarried adult women:- The mother takes the place of the father whether the putative father be of Chinese race or a European or American.
6.
Various minor distinctions could be
enumerated but those I have named will suffice. I propose in
future to issue no Certificates of British Nationality except
in cases where the applicant is undeniably a British subject,
unless proof is afforded not merely of continuous residence,
but of intention to reside in the Colony or a Treaty Port. I
propose further to forward to the Consul concerned each Certificate issued, and to direct the applicant to apply at the Consulate for it. It will be open to the Consul in any case in which he considers that the privileges afforded by registration
are
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