Directory_and_Chronicle_1933 — Page 226

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EXTRATERRITORIALITY

well as in their academic discussions. It is a matter for sincere regret that, while many Governments which are playing an important role in interna- tional affairs are eager and persistent in their endeavour to promote geniune friendship and harmony among nations, such anachronistic practices as only tend to mar the friendly relations between the Chinese people and foreign nationals should be allowed to exist at a time when justice and equity are supposed to govern the relations of nations.

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With the close contact between China and the foreign Powers, the assi- milation of western legal conceptions by Chinese jurists and incorporation of western legai principles in Chinese jurisprudence have proceeded very rapidly. In addition to the numerous codes and laws now in force, the Civil code and the Commercial code have reached the final stage of preparation and will be ready for promulgation before, January 1st, 1930. Courts and prisons, along modern lines, have been established, and are being established, throughout the whole country.

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Inasmuch as doubt has been entertained with regard to the advisability of relinquishing extraterritorial privileges at this juncture by the interested Powers, it may he pointed out that certain countries, having ceased to enjoy extraterritorial privileges in China, have found satisfaction in the protection given to their nationals by Chinese law and have had no cause for complaint that their interests have been in any way prejudiced. Your Excellency's Government may, therefore, rest assured that the legitimate rights and in- terests of your nationals will not be unfavourably affected in the least by the relinquishment of the exceptional privileges which they now posscss.

As Your Excellency's Government has always maintained a friendly atti- tude towards China and has always shown its readiness in the adoption of measures for the removal of limitations on China's sovereignity, I am happy to express to Your Excellency, on behalf of the Chinese Government, the desire of China to have the restrictions on her jurisdictional sovereignty re- moved at the earliest possible date and confidently hope that Your Excellency's Government, will take this desire of China into immediate and sympathetic consideration and favour me with an early reply so that steps may be taken to enable China, now unified and with a strong Central Government, to right- fully assume jurisdiction over all nationals within her domain.

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I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the as- surnce of any highest consideration: ́·

' (Signed) CHENGTING T. WANG.

Minister of Foreign Affairs.

His Excellency

THE AMERICAN REPLY.

Peking, Aug. 10. 1929.

Dr. Chengting T. Wang,

Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Excellency:

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Nanking.

I have the honour' to acknowledge the receipt of the Chinese Government's Note of April 27th in which there is expressed the desire that the United States should relinquish the further exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction over its citizens in China and the hope that the American Government will take this desire into immediate and sympathetic consideration.

I am directed by my Government to state that it is prepared to give sympathetic consideration to the desires expressed by the Chinese Govern- ment, giving at the same time, as it must, due consideration to the responsi bilities which rest upon the Government of the United States in connection