CO129-529-5 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931 — Page 100

Kuo Min News

11/9/31.

COPY

Mr.Consul-General Brenan to Sir Miles Lampson.

One enclosure.

Copy to Diplomatic Mission.

Number 274

(and three copies)

British Consulate-General,

Shanghai.

18th September, 1931.

142

Sir,

I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy

of a Kuo Min News item dated Nanking, 11th September, to the effect that preparations are being made by the Special

District Court in the International Settlement for the

construction of new premises to house the Special Chamber

for the trial of cases involving foreigners, which it is

proposed to inaugurate on 1st January, 1932.

2

I learn that the construction of a new building is

in fact under consideration, but, as the existing premises

are very crowded, fresh accommodation is in any case badly

needed, and were it not for the foregoing report I would not have attached any special significance to the building

programme. Other incidents, however, tend to show that the

threat to abolish extraterritoriality unilaterally on 1st

January may be a serious one.

3.

A part of the forward move against extraterritoriality is the refusal by the Chinese Authorities to have any official dealings with the extraterritorial courts. This is, of course, not a new development, but it has recently become more

pronounced. Bearing in mind the acrimonious disputes connected with the previous Provisional Court, I determined, after the rendition agreement, to try and establish more

amicable

His Majesty's Minister,

British Legation,

Peking.

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