CO129-501-3 Chinese situation- Protection of British subjects of Chinese race 23-10-1926 - 21-12-1927 — Page 36

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which formed the first enclosure in my secret despatch

30159/27 of the 22nd July. I attach this extract for convenience

Enclo.No. of reference.

3.

The first observation I venture to make is

that this matter is of such pressing importance that a decision cannot be postponed until the time comes (if ever it does) when there shall emerge out of the present

chaos a central government of a reunified China, capable

of entering into new treaties with His Majesty's

Government. It is necessary from day to day to decide

what British subjects of Chinese race shall, or shall

not, be protected in China: and these decisions are more urgent and important in their effect during a period of turmoil and civil war, such as now exists,

than would be the case if there were law and order and

a recognized central government in China. I conclude,

therefore, that unilateral action by His Majesty's

Government is essential. We must ourselves decide

what British subjects of Chinese race we will protect,

announce that decision to the various regional

authorities in China, and thereafter give such persons the same protection as we would give to (say) Englishmen

in China.

4. In the next place I consider it very important

that machinery should be set up in Hong Kong and else- where which will enable a Chinese man or woman publicly to divest himself or herself of Chinese nationality.

Persons of Chinese race desiring to do so should be able

publicly and definitely to renounce Chinese nationality

and to declare their allegiance to the British Crown.

This should be made an essential preliminary in British

and should naturalization of persons of Chinese race/also be required

in all