BRITAIN & CHINA

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 84, 3 January 1930, Page 9

BRITAIN & CHINA

QUESTION OF ABOLISHING EXTRATERRITORIALITY TEXT OF MR. HENDERSON’S AIDE-MEMOIRE READY TO NEGOTIATE (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 3L * The text is issued of an aide-de-memoire handed to the Chinese Minister in London by Mr. Henderson, British Foreign Secretary, on December 20, regarding the abolition of extraterritoriality in China. Mr. Henderson says that the British Government is aware of the official and semi-official declarations of the Chinese Government, which it interprets as indicating the earnest desire of the Chinese Government that substantial progress should be made before January 1, 1930, if not with the actual process of abolition of extraterritoriality, at any rate with serious negotiations, having in view the initiation 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 it 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 that the common purpose which both Governments had in view might best be served if discussions could be initiated before the end of the year between the British Minister in Peking and the Chinese Foreign Minister in Nanking.

Mr. Henderson continues: “The intricate readjustments that will be necessary both in the legal and administrative spheres in the gradual and progressive solution of the problem of extraterritoriality, such as is contemplated by both Governments, can only be effected as the result of negotiations conducted in a friendly and unprejudiced atmosphere. It would be a grave misfortune were anything to occur to prevent such negotiations from being initiated or from being carried to a satisfactory conclusion. The Chinese Government will realise itself that any attack upon the 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 solemn treaty stipulations, would confront the British Government with serious responsibility, as such an attack would be gravely prejudicial to the prospects of negotiating a friendly solution of the intricate problem.

“His Majesty’s Government desires to do its utmost to create a favourable atmosphere for negotiations. No responsibility attaches to.it for the political conditions in China, which have prevented the commencement of serious discussions. It deplores the fact that this step has been prevented by such conditions, and it appreciates the difficulties with which, in view of the pre-eminence which has been given to the particular date of January 1, 1930, the Chinese Government may be faced, should that date arrive without any, visible progress having been made with - ' a detailed consideration to the problem of extraterritoriality. The British Government is therefore willing to agree that January 1, 1930, should be treated as the date from which the process of gradual abolition of extraterritoriality should be regarded as having commenced in principle, and would have no objection to any declaration conformable with that attitude which the Chinese Government may think it desirable to issue. The British Government is ready to enter into detailed negotlatons, as soon as the political conditions in China render it possible to do so, with a view to agreeing on the method and programme for carrying the abolition of extraterritoriality into effect by gradual and progressive stages to the mutual satisfaction of both Governments.” China’s Appreciation of Spirit. The Chinese Minister, in reply, stated that the Chinese Government deeply appreciated the liberal and sympathe- , tic spirit in which the British Government was prepared to enter into negotiations for the abolition of extraterritoriality. It was only to be regretted if no detailed plan as the result of such negotiations, could be agreed upon before the end of the year. But in view of the earnest desire and insistent demand of the Chinese people for the immediate abolition of extraterritoriality, the Chinese Government regarded as most timely and conducive to the promotion of a friendly feeling the statement of the British Government that the process of abolition should be regarded as having commenced in principle on January 1,1930. The Chinese Nationalist Foreign Secretary, Mr. C. T. Wang, has issued a further statement, which is regarded by the Press as an indication that the mandate abolishing extraterritoriality does not conflict with the suggestion of the British aide-memoire that the British Government, having accepted the principal that the gradual abolition of extraterritorial privileges date from January 1, 1930, details of its application should be settled in negotiations between China and Britain. The statement is in the following terms:’ The Chinese Government is relying on the sympathy already shown, and the assurances given by the powers concerned. and believes that there is no difference of opinion between the Powers and China in 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.’ CHINA’S OBSERVANCE OF NEW YEAR Shanghai, January 1. Official China to-day joined the Western world in the observance of New Year’s Day, having decreed tue abolition of the ancient lunar calendar and the adoption of the Western system. A mammoth programme of festivities was carried out locally at Nanking and wherever Nanking’s influence permeates. In celebrating the epoch-making change, the old-fashioned moon month was officially farewelled. Tens of thousands of Western-cultured Chinese vied last night with Europeans, Americans, and other Westerners in celebrating the New Year, unprecedented crowds jamming the city’s scores of ballrooms, cabarets, and night clubs. The wildest celebration since the Armistice was accentuated from the foreigners’ viewpoint by the receipt of messages from Washington and London, stating that America and Britain are not submitting to the immediate cancellation of extrality.