CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927 — Page 188

188

should prosecute him in this Consular Court.

There is no

probability, however, that the articles stolen by the police

will ever be returned,

8.

The conduct of the police throughout the case has beer

disgraceful. The Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, it is

true, has informed me that the officer in charge of the

district in which Teo's house is situated has been dismissed,

but I am, of course, unable to verify this statement.

9.

The robbery took place eight days after the Commis-

sioner for Foreign Affaire had written to tell me that the

object of the police in taking a censue of foreigners was to

enable the to grant protection and to warn ne that my

refusal to comply with the census regulations might lead to

misunderstandings (see my despaton No. 63 of August 13 last).

It seems not unlikely that this case is a "misunderstanding"

of the kind foreseen by the Cormissioner; and I cannot help

siuring Mr. Leo Yee Swee's suspicion that the police were in

Collusio · with Sue robbers, though it is impossible to

produce any evidence in support of this suspicion.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

(sa.) Cecil Kirke,

Consul.