CHINESE RIGHTS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1930, Page 3

CHINESE RIGHTS

STATEMENT BY BRITISH

MINISTER

THE CHINESE REPLY

(British Official Wireless).

RUGBY, Dee. 31

The Chinese Nationalist Foreign Secretary, L. T. Wang, lias issued a further statement which is regarded by the press as an indication that the mandate abolishing extra-terri-toriality does not conflict with the suggestion of British aide memoirs, that the British Government having accepted the principle that a gradual abolision ;of extra-territorial privileges from January Ist, details of its application should be settled in negotiations between China and Britain. The statement is in the following terms:— 1

“The Chinese Government is idying on the sympathy already shown and assurances given by the Powers concerned, and believes that there is no difference of opinion between the Powers and China ih • regard to the principle invoLved, and it is prepared to consider and discuss any representations that may be made with reference to the plan now being prepared at Nanking.” In reply to a congratulatory new year telegram from the President of the Chinese Republic, King Geo.gi has sent the following reply:—“lt is with much pleasure that I have received your kind message 'of new year’s greetings on behalf of the National Government and people of ibe Republic of China; and I sincerely reciprocate your good wishes.”

Tne text is issued of the aide memoir handed to the Chinese Minister in London by Mr Henderson (British Foreign Secretary) on December 20, regarding the abolition of extra-ierri-toriality in China.

Mr Henderson says the British Government is aware of official and semiofficial declarations of the Chinese Government that substantial progress should be made before Ist January, 1930, if not with the actual process of abolition of extra-territoriality, at any rate with serious negotiations having in view the jntiation of that process in the immediate future. The British Government animated by a desire to meet the wishes of the Chinese Government in a,. liberal and sympathetic spirit, sought to elicit from them concrete proposals which might serve' as' a basis' for detailed negotiations. When it became apparent that the’ Chinese ‘Government felt some difficulty in putting forward concrete proposals for-a preliminary study, the British Government hoped the common purpose which both Governments had’ in view might best be served if discussions, could be m.t. iated before the end'of the year between the British Minister in Peking and the Chinese Foreign Minister in Nanking. There was an ] intention that Sir Miles Lampsori should'' proceed to Nanking for that purpose, but unfortunately the outbreak of civil vat over a wide area in China made it impossible to carry that intention into effect.

Mr Henderson continuesAn in- | tricate • readjustment that will bo necessary both in legal and administrative spheres in the gradual and progressive solution of the problem "f extra-territoriality such as is contemplated by both Governments can onl; be effected as the result of negotiations conducted in a. friendly and unprejudiced atmosphere. It would be a grave misfortune were anything t< occur to prevent such negotiations frqm being initiated, or from being carried to a satisfactory conclusion. The Chinese Government them solves will realise that any attack upotv legal rights of British subjects or interests which they have built, with benefit to China as well, as -themselves, in the course of nearly a hundred years on the faith of a solemn' treaty syipuLation, would confront/ |the British Government with serious responsibility. as such an attack would b° gravely prejudicial to the prospects of negotiation friendly solution of the intricate problem. IJis Majesty’s Government desire to do their utmost to create a favourable atmosphere for negotiations. No responsibility attaches to them for political conditions in China- which have prevented the commencement of serious discussions. They deplore the fact that this Stellas been prevented by such conditions and they appreciated the difficulties with which in view of the preeminence which has been given to flu particular date of Ist January, 1930, the Chinese Government may he faced, should that date arrive without any visible progress having been mad with the detailed consideration of the problem of extra-territoriality. The British Government are therefore willing to agree that Ist Jan nary, 1930, should be treated as the date from which process of gradual abolition of extra-territoriality siioulc! be regarded as having commenced in principle, and would have no objection to any declaration conformable with that attitude, which the ( ninese Government may think it desirable to issue. The British Govern nient are ready to enter into detailed negotiations as soon as the political conditions in China render it. possible to do so. with a view to agreeing on a method and programme for carrying the abolition of extra-terri-toriality into effect by gradual and progressive stages to the mutual satisfaction of both Governments, The Chinese Minister, in reply, stated that the Government deeply

appreciated the liberal and sympathetic spirit in which the British Government were prepared, to enter into negotiations for the abolition of ex-tra-territoriality. It was only to be regretted if no detailed plan as a result of siich negotiations could Obo agreed upon before the end of the year but in view of the earnest desire and the insistent demand of the Chinese people for the immediate abolition of extra-territoriality, the Chinese Government regarded as most timely and conducive to the promof tion of friendly feelings the statement of the British Government that thp process of abolition should be regarded as having commenced in principle on Ist January, 1930.