CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 130

(B)

a draft programe for the modification or abolition of those features of the

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present system of extra-erritoriality which the Commission think might be safely modified or abolished independently of possible improvements in the Chinose judicial system. Under this head the recommendations of the Commission will not necessarily be hypothetical. by some or all of the powers may be

Action recommended without action on the part of the Chinese (whether by an improvement of their judicial system or otherwise being recommended. It will however probably

be found that, in most of the cases where action by the povers is recommended under this head, such action will involve the settlement of difficulties with the Chinese Government by negotiation through the diplomatic channel.

2. Before setting out the following directions for the guidance of the British representative under these two

euds a general caution is required. He should bear in mind throughout that it is highly undesirable that he should allow himself to be placed in a position where it may appear that he stands alone in resisting concessions to Chinese opinion which the representatives of other powers, whose interests in the matter are far less important than those of Great Britain. are prepared to recommend. To this end he should use every endeavour to discourage any of his colleagues from putting forward or supporting proposals which could only result in damage to foreign interests with no real benefit to China.

(a) Transfer of jurisdiction.

3. Under this head avtention must first be drawn to a

distinction of principle which it is apprehended that the Commission will find it necessary to keep in mind, accordingly

as their investigations bear upon the administration of justice

in Chinose courts on the one had, and upon the working of

foreign/

:

}