Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 163

EXTRATERRITORIALITY

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

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

roughout the whole country...

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

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

I 'avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the as- arnce of my highest consideration.

His Excellency

(Signed) CHENGTING T. WANG,

Minister of Foreign Affairs,

THE AMERICAN REPLY.

Peking, Aug. 10, 1929.

Dr. Chengting T. Wang,

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Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Excellency:

Nanking

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Chinese. Government's fote of April 27th in which there is expressed the desire that the United tates should relinquish the farther exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction ver its citizens in China and the hope that the American Government will ake this desire into inmediate and sympathetic consideration.

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