CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10] — Page 343

China. They have, no doubt, a dual

338

nationality, but Mr.Harcourt is ad-

vised that in this regard they do not differ

from any other class of British subject

of Chinese race except those persons

who have divested themselves of Chinese

Nationality under the recent law.

Consequently there is no reason why

protection should not be afforded to

them as to other British subjects;

and the fact that, in the case of

14

Liang Top the Chinese Viceroy refused

A

to recognise the claim of Hong Kong

to regard him as a British subject,

though regrettable, is not of any

greater importance than similar refusals

on the part of the Chinese authorities

in other cases.

16. As regards class 9, (women married

or unmarried) Mr Harcourt has no observa-

tions to offer.

.

17. It will be seen that the Governor

proposes to issue no certificates of

RAFT.

British Nationality except to persons

who are undeniably British subjects.

The meaning of this expression is not

altogether clear; but judging from the

views expressed in the previous paragraphs

of Sir F.Lugard's despatch, Mr.Harcourt

thinks that he meant persons born in

British territory of parents who were

British subjects otherwise than by

naturalisation and who in addition had

divested themselves of Chinese nationality.

But most of the classes of persons men-

tioned in the despatch are undeniably

British subjects, although in the present

state of Chinese law they are also

subjects of China. Mr Harcourt considers

that it would be well to ascertain exactly

what procedure in the matter the Govern-

ment of Hong Kong propose to adopt, and

he is therefore making enquiry of the

Officer Administering the Government on

the

British