To the Editor of the Norv#-CHINA Datty News."
Str,—Ag a resident in China for nearly half a century I have to confess my ignorance on certain points in connexion with the much discussed subject of extraterritoriality and crave your assistance with 'a view to throwing' some light on The facts, 8 I understand them, are that by virtue of certain {treaties Europeans and other no Chinese are allowed the protection of their own Governments while residing on Chinese sot in Settfements set apart for their resid fence and in ports opened to trade—known as Treaty Ports. They are} also amenable to the laws of their respective Governments. Certa well-intentioned diplomats at Washington. recommended that as. soon China was in a position to undertake the care and control all within her borders, including ithe subjects and citizens of the Treaty Powers, the abolition of extraterritoriality would be seriously considered. With a view to giving effect to these recommendations which were propounded at Washington and subsequently "approved bby the Treaty Powers, a deputation, consisting of eminent persons quali fied by education and experienc standing and efficiency of this vast country and make recommendations which will have very far-reaching effects all residents, both natives and for. eign, in the Far East So much for the facts as I understand them.
The points which to my dull brain are not sufficiently clear may perhaps be elucidated by replies to the following questions:
In the event of extraterrito ity being abolished do the Chine others realize the far reaching effects of this abolition?
When the responsibility for mai taining law and order, both criminal and civil, is shifted from the foreign governments to the Chinese will the Chinese in the early future [be able efficiently to shoulder this responsibility?
Will foreign residents and trad~ ers, whose activities are now practically confined to ti ted number of Treaty ports be then allowed freely to travel and trade, under adequate protection, throughout the length and breadth of this vast cotintry which even now cannot control her own unruly fore Will the members of the Judicial Commission which is shortly to function, remain in China long enough fo travel in the interior and see conditions for themselves or will their investigations be conducted on the surface only from the point of view of the treaty ports?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.