Aide-Memoire of New Year's Eve Emphasized in New Note: Suggestion to Chinese Government London, Feb. 3.
In the House of Commons to-day, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Arthur Henderson, said that papers in regard to extraterritoriality were being issued to-day.
He added that the negotiations on not made any progress since last statement owing to the unavoidable absence of Sir Miles Lampson, the British Minister, at Hongkong.
'A British Aide-Mémoire to China regarding the Chinese Manadate of December 28, which declared extraterritorielity abolished, emphasized the great importance which the. British. Government attaches to the. considerations set forth in its Aide-Mémoire of December 31.
It will be recalled that this reviewed the history of the discussions on the subject and declared that the intricate adjustments involved in a gradual, progressive solution of the prob lent could only be effected through negotiations conducted in a friendly and unprejudiced atinosphere and, said that it would be a agg] fave misfortune if any!
is if any fourred to prevent such nego ing initiated or satisfactorily con-subjects or their interests, built up in the course of nearly 100 years would.confront the British Government with a serious responsibility and. gravely prejudice the prospects of negotiating a friendly solution. Tt concluded by expressing readiness to-enter into detailed negotiations as soon. as political conditions in China rendered it possible.
The new Aide-Mémoire reiterates that it is of the utmost importance that no untoward incident shall imperil the forthcoming negotiations, and, therefore the British Government expects the Chinese Governwue strict orders to' its and Tocal officials that treaty stipulations affecting the status and privileges of British subjects shall continue in full vigour until to as the result of nezo!
Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.