A New Study of Their Political and Economic Status Tne Curae, AznoAo,-uzm, rogrion ternational law and "relations by ION. of me BP. MacNair, May Sohne. "University, with "an introduction ington Koo, Miniae word. by De Fong F. See, chied Eoctit" eaters Commercial The "Conmergial Pret, This is an illuminating presentation of and a valuable contribution to a subject of extreme interest and great bearing. Prof. MacNair' work is one of the first devoted.entirely to the position of Chinese overseas. We have had from time. to time valuable treatises of much interest on China's relations with the outside world, but few have touched upon this important sub-JJect—indeed it has been almost entirely neglected. Prof. MacNair is well-known for his writings and lectures on subjects such as the international relations of China, Chinese history, economies, ete. In his position professor history and Government in the St. John's University (Shanghai) the author is placed in excellent position for search work' of this nature, and his studies on the present' subject should be welcomed. The material presented, Prof. MacNair tells us, has been collected during the past six years, and consists of a mass of useful information gathered from documents, historical records, periodicals, year-books and letters from foreign and Chinese who have over a period of several hundred years settled in various parts of the world.
The book is divided into nine chapters: (1) the relation of China to her national abroad, (2) Chinese emigration, (3) the Chin cee in the British Empire and the new world, (4) Chinese acquisition of foreign nationality, (6) the Chinese alien—the merchant and free Inbourer, (6) the Chinese alien—the contract labourer, (7) the Chinese alien—the students apron (8) the protection of alien Chinese through Chinese authorities, and the author's conclusions in chapter Prof. MacNair shows how, in by-Jgone days Chinese citizens were sadly neglected by their government, the emperors of which looked with'disfavour on their emigration Jand even forbade them to. leave their "native land. Indeed, "all officers of the government, soldiers and subjects who clandestinely went to sea to trade, or removed to for-feign lands for' the purpose of inhhabiting and cultivating them, were te be punished according to the law against communicating with rebels and enemies and consequently suffer death by being beheaded." Thus it will be seen why dt was that the Chinese Government never bothered about its subjects abroad land little or no protection was afforded them until recent years, The author describes the impact of China with the west that brought about the protection of foreigners China and Chinese living abroad, as well as the framing of a nationality Taw, the latter being one fof the last measures of real international significance proclaimed by the Mancha dynasty. We are told that in 1909 the imperial government proclaimed a law by. which the Chinese citizenship of foreign-berm "Chinese was assumed, and Chinese assuming foreign nationality must have ceased to be Chinese: citizens by obtaining a certificate of deni{turalization from the (Ministry of Interior in Peking.
The number and standing of (Chinese emigrants in various. foreign countries is discussed at some Tength and numerous instances are given by Prof. MacNair of leading Jeourt eases, acts, etc, relating 10 overseas Chinese.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.