CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927 — Page 160

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rClutterbuck 11.1.

ir.Ellis 11.1

Sir G.Grindle

11.1.27.

Sir S.Wilson

S.H.W.11.1.27.

at once.

PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM

From the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the

Governor of the Straits Settlements.

(Sent 9.25 p.m. 11th January 1927)

Repeat to Hongkong

Secret. Chinese situation. It had been the intention

of His Majesty's Government before the recent occurrence s

at Hankow to authorise His Majesty's Minister to resume

conversations with Chen. What we had in view was the

possibility (while keeping recognition in the background

of reaching an agreed programme for relinquishment of

our specially privileged position in China.

The situation has been altered by the Hankow

incident but resumption of conversations may none the

less become possible. Should conversations be resumed

very considerable sacrifices may have to be made and I

think it right to convey to you following warning.

It may be that it will be necessary as part of a

general settlement to recognise the validity of Chinese

laws including Chinese Nationality Law. This would of

course mean that our claims to protect British subjects

of Chinese descent in Chinese territory would have to

be abandoned. It is not expected that it will be

possible to embody any quid pro quo in the settlement

but the desirability of facilitating the divestment by Anglo-Chinese of the Chinese nationality will not be lost sight of and it is hoped subsequently to negotiate an

arrangement to this end.

AMERY.

CAM

простране 13/1/27

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