CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927 — Page 178

PY.

Enclosure Fo. & in wo tow No. 92 of Gotober 25, 1926.

The Commissioner for Foreign Affairs to T. Conall Kirke.

178

September 4, 1926.

sir,

Theft from Too Yee wee's House.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter

of the 28th. ult. on the subject of the robbery from Teo Yee

Swee's house, in which you complain that many of the statements

in the police report are mislmôing, while all reference to the

most important points is omitted. You state that you are the

only authority competent to grant or withhold per.nission for

British subjects to possess firearms, and you request that the

articles taken by them from Teo Toe Swee's house may be returned

forthwith.

I have instructed the Chief of Police to ascertain whethor

any material facts have been glossed over in the report.

With regard to the discovery in Teo Yee Swee'c house of

arms and ammunition, I have the honour to point out that in

Section 3 of the new regulation drawn up by the Chinese Dovern-

ment respecting the import of arms and ammunition, it is stated

that every respectable foreigner entering Chiur from abroad may

aprly for a permit to import for self-defence 1 revolver and

500 cartridges. Thus a foreigner importing arms for self-

defence must request the Chinese authorities for a permit and

further he may only immort 1 firearm and 500 cartridges.

Now Too Yee Swee has made no application for an import

permit, and further the number of cartridges concealed in his

house wa in stooss of 500 which clearly shows that he has

broken the regulation. I am therefore unable to comply with

your request to returù the arms taken from him.

I have etc.

Commissioner for Foreign Affaire.