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the Colonial Government was no less surprised to learn Mr.
Clive's views as to the duties of a British Court of law, but
under the circumstances this Government could not feel
justified in proceeding with the amendment of the law and,
although Sir R. E. Stubbs took the opportunity of Sir R. Macleay's visit to the Colony in January, 1923, to press our
view of the position, nothing further has been done to date.
6. You are, of course, aware of the prominent
part played by this difficulty of recognition in the troubles
in which Hong Kong and British interests in China have been
involved with the "Nationalist Government" and, as the forces
of that Government extend their conquests further and further
North, our paper obligations to the phantom-Government in
Peking no doubt impede less and less the recognition of plain
facts. But the date of the re-unification of China may yet
be long delayed, and I feel it imperative that the removal
of this local and domestic impasse should wait no longer.
The Hong Kong Goverment is now on fairly friendly terms with
the Canton Authorities and the latter have recently preferred
through His Majesty's Consul-General a request for the extradition of a Chinese woman on a charge of manslaughter,
which is clearly bona fide and without political taint. This request has not yet been answered; but a copy of this despatch will be sent to Mr. Brenan, who will no doubt do
his best to tone down the refusal. He will, however, have
a difficult task in reconciling with our refusal his repeated requests on our behalf for the execution by the Canton Authorities of the duties of a civilized Government.
I have therefore to request that I may be authorized to proceed without further delay with the
7.
proposed amendment of the Chinese Extradition Ordinance,
1889
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