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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, SEPTEMBER 8, 1911.
DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
No. 268.
CIRCULAR.
DOWNING STREET,
2nd August, 1911.
SIR,I have the honour to transmit, for your information, with reference to Mr. Chamberlain's Circular despatch of the 28th of February, 1902, a copy of an Agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan, signed at London on the 13th of July, 1911.
I have, etc,
L. HARCOURT.
The Officer Administering the Government of
HONGKONG.
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AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN.
Signed at London, July 13, 1911.
Preamble.
The Government of Great Britain and the Government of Japan, having in view the important changes which have taken place in the situation since the conclusion of the Anglo- Japanese Agreement of the 12th August, 1905, and believing that a revision of that Agree- ment responding to such changes would contribute to general stability and repose, have agreed upon the following stipulations to replace the Agreement above mentioned, such stipulations having the same object as the said Agreement, namely;
(a.) The consolidation and maintenance of the general peace in the regions of Eastern Asia and of India ;
(b.) The preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by insuring the independence and integrity of the nese Empire and the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations in China;
(c.) The maintenance of the territorial rights of the High Contracting Parties in the regions of Eastern Asia and of India, and the defence of their special interests in the said regions :--
ARTICLE 1.
It is agreed that whenever, in the opinion of either Great Britain or Japan, any of the rights and interests referred to in the preamble of this Agreement are in jeopardy, the two Governments will communicate with one another fully and frankly, and will consider in common the measures which should be taken to safeguard those menaced rights or interests.
ARTICLE HI.
If by reason of unprovoked attack or aggressive action, wherever arising, ou the part of any Power or Powers, either High Contracting Party should be involved in war in defence of its territorial rights or special interests mentioned in the preamble of this Agreement, the other High Contracting Party will at once come to the assistance of its ally, and will conduct the war in common, and make peace in mutual agreement with it.
ARTICLE III.
The High Contracting Parties agree that neither of them will, without consulting the other, enter into separate arrangements with another Power to the prejudice of the objects described in the preamble of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV.
Should either High Contracting Party conclude a treaty of general arbitration with at third Power, it is agreed that nothing in this Agreement shall entail upon such Contracting Party an obligation to go to war with the Power with whom such treaty of arbitration is in force.