CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927 — Page 202

COFY.

202

Englesure Eo. 9

Swator 45. ye of October M. 1985.

Mr. Qemul Kirke to the Commissione. for fo eizu „fľairs.

sir.

British Consulate,

September 16, 1926.

I have the honour to saknowledge the receipt of your letter

of the 4th. instant in which you refuse to return firearme and

ummunition TAMOT%)

Zoo Tee Swee's houne by the noline in

the early morning of inment & last, on the ground that he mte no

application for any immort nerait for those articles and that

he oærtridges in his possession were in excess of the number

allowed.

In reply, I beg to inform you that no regulation exists

which prevents British subjects from purchasing in China arma

for self-defence or for sporting purposes. Further, the number

of both pistol and sporting cartridres taken from Mr. Teo Ine

Swee by the police was far less than the number allowed to be

imported by a British subject in one year (500 and 7,000 rounds

respectively).

In any case, I must remind you that if a British subject

breaks any law or regulation, he can only be dealt with by his

own authorities; and in no circumstances have the Chinese

police the right to search his house and remove his property

from hi

If it is considered that 200 Tee

Dossession.

Swee has in any way acted illegally, the proper course

bring an action against him in this Gourt.

I must therefore renew my demand that the firearms and

ammunition, as well as all the other articles, illegally

removed by the police from Mr. Tao Yen Swee's house may be

sent to this Consulate without further delay.

I