CO129-529-4 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931 — Page 136

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2.

Kingdom, in many matters we have legal powers which

are exercised only in very exceptional cases, so

that though our normal practice is such as to give

the Chinese as full a measure of reciprocity as they

could reasonably desire, it would be difficult

formally to bind ourselves to give such reciprocity

by treaty. (see, for example, my telegrensNos. 49 (44)

and 94 dealing with shipping and arbitration.)

3.

e have, therefore, devised a new formula

with variations which represents the most we can co

to meet this difficulty.

It will be observed,

however, that the cffect would be to give Chinese

citizens benefits only in the United Kingdom and

not in the other parts of the Empire on whose sehalf

it is anticipated that the treaty will be signeo;

whereas, benefits in China under the treaty will be

enjoyed by British subjects from all parts of the

Lmpire.

4. It will be necessary to explain this new

proposal to the Dominions but before this is done,

we should be glad to know for certain that this

formula is acceptable to the chinese government.

Alterations of the text which will be

5.

necessary if the formula is acceptable, are set out

in my telegrams Nos. 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98.