To the Editor of the '"Noeta-Cuixa DaILy News."
Sim—I am desired by my com mittee to congratulate you heartily oder of November 2 through its representative Sir Lampson.
In the course of your leader you say. "The telegrams. published yesterday showed that Lord Lloyd has made" the definite assertion that some form of an Extrality Treaty has been initialled by Sir Biles Lampson. This report has been current for some weeks here and in London. Those who ate charged with the duty of gaid-ing public opinion can satisfactorily. im Perform it no more on the basis of popular gossip than gri reliable information confidentially "conveyed. During the last few months there has been correspondence between the Hankow British Chamber of Commerce and the British Minister} on the proposals for the abolition of Extrality. In the course of that ferzeapondence ft was boldly stated that the Shanghai British Chamber of Commerce had, through certain representatives, been made confidentially aware of the nature]
the proposals. Yet Hankow. British Merchants, who, in_ point of fact, might be more seriously affect ed, were not let into the. secret.
journal is convinced that the British Government have no inten. tion of authorising acceptance of proposals which would make the sition of British residents in shina impossible, But it must be recognised that almost the only information on which the public have to. proceed is the fact that the Chinese Government have decreed the abolition. of Extraterritoriality on January 1 next—in defiance, let}
The idea that a new Treat be, noted, of Treaty, obligations. be hastily it actually has gained currency. argument that' the new. artangements contain safeguards disposing fof all apprehension may be. valid. Unless "the light of (publicity. be thrown upon them, the value those safeguards is likely to be ques-led tioned."
My Committee feel that those remarks admirably convey the feel ings of British residents in Hankow. My Chamber has made every en: cavour to secure Information, the policy and intention of the Brit ish "Government towards British residents in Hankow by direct application to H. M, Consul General In Hankow, H. MIN, Minister to China. ind the British Chamber in Shang-Te has been unable to obtain any information whatsoever. The Chamber feels that the time has come. to protest vigorously. and Publicly against such treatment.
It will be within your recollection, Sir, that the British Community at Hankow cabled a protest to the Foreign Office in connection with the Hankow incident of August 6th. That cable was suppressed by. the Chinese Government without notifica ation to the senders and the fact of suppression was not verified unt Several weeks later when the cost of the cable was refunded. "If we fare to suffer from the deliberately. lsceretive tactics of suppression of Jour representations by the Chinese [Government in addition to suffering from the tactics of the ostrich em loyed by our own Government, the time has come for vigorous protest.
During October the following Jeable was despatched from Hankow. in view of probability of censor ship if telegraphed direct please pass following resolution to Foreign JOfice together with foregoing explanation. Opens. This meeting of [British residents of Hankow expresses its serious alarm at the persistent and well substantiated report: that it is the intention of H. BIN. Government to renounce Extraterritorial, Rights at this port
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.