893.012/27
The Consul General at Canton (Jenkins) to the Minister in China (MacMurray)66
Canton, April 6,
1928.
No. 680Sir: I have the honor to refer to Consul
Huston’s despatch of March 16, 1928,67 concerning a newspaper report respecting the
promulgation by the local authorities of regulations affecting Chinese
seeking dual nationality, and to enclose a translation of a despatch
dated March 24, 1928, from the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at
Canton. It will be observed that this despatch quotes a recent decision
of the Political Council and encloses certain provisional regulations in
regard to the status of Chinese seeking or enjoying foreign nationality.
These appear to be identical with the text forwarded in Consul Huston’s
despatch.
This Consulate General will take no action in this matter pending the
receipt of instructions from either the Department or the Legation.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Chinese Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at
Canton (Chu Chao
Hsin) to the American
Consul in Charge at Canton (Huston)
[Canton,] March 24,
1928.
Sir: In connection with certain provisional
regulations submitted by me respecting certificates of expatriation,
I have the honor to advise you that I am in receipt of a
communication from the Canton Branch of the Political Council to the
following effect:
“Adverting to the report that while Chinese, either born in
foreign countries or holding a foreign citizenship, are
often found to seek for benefit of their own by taking
advantage of a dual citizenship, pending the promulgation of
the law ruling citizenship by the Nationalist Government,
for prevention of taking such citizenship and of diplomatic
complications therefor, it is imperative to draw up some
provisional regulations to rule the issuance of such
certificates in order to facilitate recognition and check
against this corrupt practice, the Commissioner concerned is
hereby notified that the regulations in question have been
revised and passed at the 86th Session of this Council. For
information, a copy of the said document is enclosed
herewith.”
[Page 582]
Besides writing to the Commissioners of Foreign Affairs at Kiungchow,
Swatow and for Yamchow, Limchow and Luichow Area, I have the honor
to send a copy of the regulations for your information.
With compliments.
[Subenclosure—Translation]
Chinese Provisional Regulations Governing the
Issuance of Certificates of Expatriation in Kwangtung and
Kwangsi Provinces
- 1.
- Certificates of Expatriation will be issued by the Office of
Foreign Affairs for Canton.
- 2.
- The Consuls of the Foreign Powers at various places shall be
notified by the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs for Canton that
Chinese claiming foreign citizenship shall not be permitted to
apply for registration at foreign consulates without the
production of a certificate of expatriation.
- 3.
- Chinese, who have been given the certificate to take a foreign
citizenship, are only permitted to trade in treaty ports, and
must dispose at once of their property, if any, in the interior,
so as to prevent trouble that may arise from the Treaty under
which they are entitled to certain special rights.
- 4.
- A list showing persons, who have been given the certificates
of Expatriation to apply for foreign citizenship, should be made
out monthly by the Office of Foreign Affairs for Canton for
information of the Provincial Government and that of the various
official organs.
- 5.
- Certificates of this sort, applied for by persons at the
Foreign Bureau at Chao Mei District, Kiungchow Island and for
Yam Chow, Lim Chow and Lui Chow Area shall be issued by the
Office of Foreign Affairs for Canton for unification of matter.
The Consuls of the various Powders at different ports can apply
for such certificates on behalf of the applicants
concerned.
- 6.
- These regulations shall be applied to the issuance of such
certificates in Kwangsi Province.
- 7.
- These regulations shall be effected on the date of approval of
the Canton Branch of the Political Council.
