FOREIGNERS IN CHINA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17146, 31 December 1929, Page 7

FOREIGNERS IN CHINA

ABOLITION OF RIGHTS THE BRITISH ATTITUDE (British Official Wireless.) Roc. 10 a.m. RUGBY, Dee. 30. The Nanking Government lias issued a mandate declaring- the abolition of extra-territorial rights in China as from January 1. This means that nationals of Great Britain, France, Japan, the United States, and other powers will l»e subject to the Chinese civil and criminal courts instead of tlie courts established by these powers. These rights, .in the case of Great Britain, date from 1842. During recent years the powers have revealed their readiness to accede to the national aspirations of Chinese. A memorandum of Sir Austen Chamberlain three years ago was an indication of this desire, but it has been obvious that a full surrender of territorial rights could only be gradual. An aide-memoire which the British Government recently handed to the Chinese Minister in London expressed the British willingness, in conjunction with oilier interested powers, to discuss the question of the removal of these rights, but with the above proviso.

It is understood that, the attitude of the British Government remains unchanged, it being still prepared'to discuss the question of extra-tc.rritoriaiity with other interested powers. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic contributor writes: "Representatives df treaty powers are embarrassed at the renewed threat of the Nanking Government to abolish extra-territorial •rights on Wednesday. Exchanges of views between the treaty powers themselves have remained in abeyance since the recent clash of arms between President Chi;[ng Kai-Shek and his rivals, and there is no possibility of their completion within 48 hours. On the other hand, the British Government early in the month forwarded to Nanking a memorandum embodying concessions to the Chinese standpoint on extra-territorial rights which the present Government is prepared to make. This memorandum went so far that it caused concern and resentment among most treaty powers." A Paris message slates that France takes strong exception to Nanking's attempt to revoke extra-territoriality by a unilateral act. The Chinese Ambassador has been informed that such action is regarded as a flagrant breach of the Treaty of Tientsin of 1858.

JOINT ACTION DISCUSSED BRITAIN AND AMERICA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received Dec. 31, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. China's formal announcement'that extra-territoriality privileges will ibo abolished on .January 1 having to-day reached, the State Department, it is learned that British and American diplomats already have discussed joint action in opposition to China's move, but no decision has yet been made. it is intimated that there has been an informal exchange of views among all nations affected.