BRITAIN AND CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 20372, 2 January 1930, Page 11

BRITAIN AND CHINA

QUESTION OF EXTRATERRITORIALITY STATEMENT BY CHINESE MINISTER (British Official Wire lees.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, December 31. (Received January 2 at 2 p.m.) The Chinese Nationalist Foreign Secretary (Dr 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 memoirc that the British Government, having accepted the principle that the "’•adual abolition of extraterritorial privileges from January 1, the details of its application should be .settled in .negotiations between China and _ Britain. The statement is in the following terms: —“The Chinese Government '» 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.”

THE AIDE MEN DIRE. RUGBY, December 31. (Received January 2, at 2 p.m.) The text is issued of _ the Aide 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 was aware of the official and semi-official declarations of the Chinese Government, which it interpreted 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 the abolition ot extra-territoriality, at any rate with serious negotiations,.having in view the initiation of that process in the immediate future. The ,British Government, animated by the 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 ■he served if discuss ons could be initiated before the end of the rear between the British Minister in Peking and the Chinese Foreign Minister in Nanking. In was the Government’s intention that Sir Miles Lampson should proceed to Nanking for that purpose, but unfortunately an outbreak of civil war over a wide area in China made it imnossible to carry that intention into effect. ~

'Mr Sanderson continues. ‘ ‘ The intricate readjustments that will be necessary, both in legal and administrative spheres, in a gradual and progressive solution of the problem of extra-terri-toriality, such as is contemplated by both Governments, can onlv be effected as the result of negotiations conducted in a friendly and unprejudiced atmosphere. It would he 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 itself will realise that any attack uuon the legal rights of British subjects or on interests which they have built with benefit to China, as well as to themselves, wi the course of nearly 100 years on the faith of solemn treaty stipulations would confront the British Government with a 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 lor uegot’ations. No responsibility attaches to it for the political conditions in China, which have prevented a commencement of the serious discussions. It deplores the fact that this step has been prevented by such conditions, and it appreciates the diffi culties with which, in view of the preeminence which has been given to tne particular date of January 1, 1930, tao Chinese Government may be faced. Should that date arrive without any visible progress having been made with detailed consideration of the problem 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 negotiations as soon as the political conditions in Chinn render it possible tef do so,: with a view to agreeing on a method and a programme for carrying the abolition of extraterritoriality into effect by gradual and progressive stages to the mutual satisfaction of both Governments.” CHINA’S REPLY. The Chinese Minister, in reply, stated that the Chinese Government deeply appreciated the liberal and'sympathetic* spirit in which the British Government was prepared to enter into negotiations for the abolition of extraterritoriality. ft was only to be regretted that 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 friendly feelings the statement of the British Government that the process of _ abolition should be regarded as having commenced in principle on January 1, 1930. '

EXCHANGE OF GREETINGS. RUGBY, December 81. (Received January 2, at 2 p.m.) In reply to a congratulatory New Year telegram from the President of tile Chinese Republic King George has sent the following reply.:—“ It is with much pleasure that. I have received your kind message o!f new year's greetings on behalf of the National Government and the people of the Republic of China, and I sincerely reciprocate your good wishes.”