121
Governor Sir G.
Des Voeux, May 5, 1891. (Confiden-
tial Print 7070, p. 7.)
24
languages that the bearer is by Chinese law a Chinese subject and that, within the limits of Chinese territory, he is subject to the jurisdiction of the Chinese authorities.
The effect of these measures would be that the number of Anglo-Chinese protected by us in China would be limited to those now actually registered in British consulates in China. Their number could not be increased and would, in course of time, decrease and eventually vanish.
Having taken these steps, His Majesty's Government should pause in order that their significance may be appreciated by the Chinese authorities. On the next occasion of a case of disputed nationality negotiations might be opened with the local Chinese authorities with a view to arranging a modus vivendi on the basis of supplying them with lists of registered British subjects. If such negotiations proved successful at one port, a similar procedure might gradually be extended to other ports. In view, however, of the experience of the past sixty years, the aim of such negotiations should not be to secure the right to protect Anglo-Chinese of the second or any other generation. It should be restricted to protecting the interests of those Anglo-Chinese who are already registered as British subjects, and to establishing some system whereby Anglo-Chinese of any generation temporarily visiting China may be able to claim the good offices, advice and assistance of British consuls. It seems essential, however, that, for these sojourners, to whatever generation of Anglo-Chinese they may belong, the master nationality shall be Chinese, so that they shall be debarred from registering land in British consulates or flying the British flag on their vessels.
It
37.
In deciding on a policy in this matter the views of the Govern- ments of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements will have to be taken into consideration. Their views have not in the past been identical, mainly because Hong Kong is closer to China-it is in every respect, except its administration, a part of the Province of Kwangtung-and the officials of the Colony have some, though by no means a full, knowledge of the evils which our former policy has caused. In the sixties and seventies of the last century Chinese from Singapore had already long been receiving protection, while the Governor of Hong Kong was dismayed at the idea that any Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong should be regarded as British subjects in China. Nevertheless, the pernicious practice of granting protection certificates spread to Hong Kong, and in the nineties we find the Government of Hong Kong greatly alarmed at the rapidly increasing number of Anglo-Chinese applying for these certificates and at the difficulties and embarrassments likely to result therefrom in future. was at the instance of a Governor of Hong Kong in 1903 that registration and protection was extended to Anglo-Chinese of the first generation, but the officials in Hong Kong, including the Governor in question, have generally aimed at limiting protection to deserving individuals of this class. The officials of the Straits Settlements have never appreciated the principles of international law by which His Majesty's Government endeavoured, but generally failed, to guide their course. Occasionally a voice was heard protesting against protection of Anglo-Chinese of the first generation, but in general the theory that "no person born on British soil could be deprived of his rights as a British subject" held full sway. Nevertheless, when the decision to protect Anglo-Chinese of the first generation was taken in 1904, the Government of the Straits Settlements endeavoured to limit the issue of protection certificates to deserving individuals in that class. Hong Kong, at a subsequent date, appear to have followed the same policy, and in both Colonies there grew up an idea that British nationality and British protection should be bestowed as a reward for loyalty to the British Empire. Thus would the affections of the rising generation be weaned from their country of origin, and thus would they be taught to "think Britannically."
think Britannically." It seems probable that this policy has had exactly the opposite result to that which was intended. A certificate of British nationality is of no value to a Chinese who has made his permanent home in Singapore; it only becomes valuable when he has decided to sever his connection with the Colony, either wholly or in part, and establish himself in China. Moreover, in endeavouring to select
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