CO129-427 - Public Offices - 1915 — Page 44

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British Concession on Shameen of persons of enemy

nationality was advocated on the ground of military

necessity, but that reason seems to be no longer

applicable, and the argument now used is that the

Concession is practically British territory; that

foreigners resident in China cannot acquire a new

domicile in this country; that Germans resident on

Shameen should consequently be regarded as alien

enemies, and that their attitude and actions are

such as to render their continued residence a menace

to British subjects.

I do not propose to deal at any length with the

legal arguments advanced by the petitioners which

are the same as those that have been employed in

urging the necessity of prohibiting commercial trans

actions between British subjects and enemy firms

and persons in China, So far, however, as the

contention that the British Concession on Shameen

is virtually British territory is concerned, it may

be