CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927 — Page 129

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live

China to me and be accepted as Chinese,

free from the restrictions imposed by

Treaty on British subjects, and yet, as

soon as they get into difficulties they

appeal to the nearest Consul and claim

protection as British subjects. It has

occurred to me that if the Chinese

authorities raise objections to the

conclusion of an arrangement similar to

that with the Dutch, it might be possible

to adopt a new line of approach and to

insist only on the protection of those

British subjects who are undoubtedly

domiciled in British or British protected

territory, and who only visit China at

infrequent intervals and for short periods.

You will be better able to judge whether

an arrangement on these lines, if it were

practicable, would meet the essential

requirements of the various Governments,

and I shall be glad to receive your considered observations, both on this

point and on the question generally, in

due