CO129-529-5 China- extraterritoriality 23-11-1931 - 31-12-1931 — Page 102

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Courts and requesting him to have the injunction orders

withdrawn.

6. I subsequently learnt that, in an endeavour to

prevent this question coming to a head, the Municipal

Advocate, Mr. Bryan, an American lawyer who is on friendly

terms with the judges had called on the President of the

Court and pointed out the difficult position in which the

Judicial Police, who are employees of the Council, were placed, in being required to serve orders on extraterritorial

companies. The President, after much demur, withdrew the

orders from the Judicial Police, and handed them for service

to Process Servers, who are employees of the Court.

7. He then went on to say that the Court did not

recognize the existence of foreign corporations which had not registered in accordance with Chinese law, and that all persons or corporations refusing to obey the Court's orders would be denied the Court's assistance when they wished to

appear as plaintiffs.

8. After considerable discussion Mr. Bryan was left with the clear impression that a determined effort is to be made by the Court from the beginning of next year to bring all foreigners under its jurisdiction, and that, as in mixed cases the foreign nationals are more frequently claimants than defendants, the Court believes that this weapon of obstruction will prove very effective to bring them into line.

I have etc.,

(Signed)

J.F. Brenan.

Consul-General.