CO129-543-16 China- protection for Anglo-Chinese 13-2-1933 - 13-3-1934 — Page 85

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from the Chinese Government are much what was to be

expected.

I have already more than three years ago

placed my view on record that we should be well advised

to refrain from further argument on the subject and

tacitly accept the Chinese Nationality Law, which

would mean that British subjects of Chinese race

visiting or residing in China would have to understand that, while entitled to the general good offices and advice of His Majesty's Consuls, they would, unless denationalised under the Chinese Law, be recognised

as possessing also Chinese nationality and therefore

according to international practice have no claim to

British protection against the Chinese authorities in

China. I understand and sympathise with the point

of view of the Malayan Governments, but, in view of

the attitude of the Chinese Government and of the

recognised principles of International Law as affecting

the question, I cannot see that any useful purpose

will be served by pursuing the matter further with the

Wai Chiao Pu.

13.

As regards the Dutch arrangement, it is possible

that the Netherlands authorities may consider this to

be still in force, but there is, I think, considerable

doubt as to the extent to which it continues in practice to be

recognised by the Chinese authorities.

When I was

recently in Amoy I gathered from à conversation with

the Netherlands (merchant) Consul that that while he,

the Consul, was still guided in his registration of 7 Butche

British subjects of Chinese race by the terms of this

arrangement,