THE CHEFOO CONVENTION
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the measures needed for the more effective administration of justice at t'e Ports open to Trade.
3.-It is agreed that, whenever a crime is committed affecting the person or property of a Briti-h subject, whether in the interior or at the open ports, the British Minister shall be free to send officers to the spot to be present at the investigation. To the prevent on of misunderstanding on this point, Sir Thomas Wade will write a Note to the above effect, to which te Tsung-'i Yamên will reply, affirming that this is the course of proceeding to be adhered to for the tin e to come.
It is further understood that so long as the laws of the two countries differ from each other, there can be but one principle to guide judicial roceedings in mixed ca es in China, namely, that the case is tried by the official of the defendant's nationality; the offic al of the plaintiff's nationality merely attending to watch the proceedings in the interest of just ce. If the officer so attending be dissatisfied with the proceed ngs, twill be in his power to protest against them in deta 1. The law administered will be the law of the nationa'ity of the officer trying the case. This is the meaning of the words hui tung, indicating combined action in judicial proceedings, in Article XVI. of the Treaty of Tientsin; and this is the course to be re-pectively followed by the officers of either nationality.
SECTION III.—Trade.
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1.-With reference to the area within which, according to the treaties in force, lekin ought not to be collected on foreign goods at the open port, Sir Thomas Wade agrees to move his Government to allow the ground r nted by foreigners (the so-called Concesions) at the differ nt ports, to be r garded as the area of exemtion from lekin; and the Government of Ch na will thereunon a low I-ch'ang, in the rovince of Hu-pei; Wu-hu, in An-hui; Wen-chôw, in Che-kiang; and Pei-hai (Pak-hoi), in Kwang-tung to be added to the number of ports open to trade and to become Con-ular station. The British Gov rnment will, farther, be free to send officers to roside at Ch'ung-k'ing to watch the conditions of Briti-h trade in Su-ch'uen. British m rchants will not be allowed to reside at Ch'ung-k'ing, or to open estab ish- ments or warehouses there, so long as no steamers hav access to the port. When steamers have succeeded in ascending the rivers far, further arrangements can be taken into consideration.
It is farther provosed as a mea-ure of compromise that at certain points on the abore of the Great River, namely, Ta-t'ung and Ngan-Ching, in the province of An- hai; Ho-Kou, in Kiang--i; Wu--ueh,, Lu-chi kou, and Sha-shih in Hu-Kwang ; these being a'l places of trade in the interi r, at which, as they are not open not, foreign merchants are not legally authorised to land or ship goods, steamers shalt ba allowed to touch for the puri ose of landing or hi ping passengers or goods; but in sil instances by means of native boats only, and subject to the regulations in force affecting native trade.
Produce accompanied by a half-duty certificate may be shipped at such points by the steamers, but may not be land d by them for sale. And at all such points, exceut in the case of imports accompanied by a transit duty certificate or exports similarly certificated, which will be severally passed free of lekin on exhibition of such certificates, lekin will be duly collected on all gds whatever by the native authorities. Foreign merchants will not be authorised to reside or open houses of business or warehouses at the places enumerated as ports of call.
2.-At all port open to trade, whether by earlier or later agreement, at which no settlement area has been previously defined, it will be the duty the British Consul, seting in concert with his colleagues, the Consul of other Powers, to come to an understanding with the local authorities regarding the definition of the foreign settlement area.
3.-On Opium, Sir Thomas Wade will move his Government to sanction an Arrangement different from that affecting other inports. British merchants, when opium in brought into part, will be obliged to have it taken cognisance of by the Customs, and deposited in bond, either in a warehouse or a receiving hulk, until such time as there is a sale for it. The importer will then pay the tariff duty upon it,