June 11, 1898.]
before taking the lease of Weihaiwei would | read the following:-
We the undersigned Commissioners, ap- pointed by Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hobert Seymour, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of the China Station, do hereby take on lease on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India, from the commissioners appointed by the Tsungli Yamên on behalf of his Majesty, the Emperor of China, the Island of Liukungtau, the town of Weihaiwei, and the mainland in the neighbourhood to the extent aud on the terms which have been agreed upon by our respective Governments.
Given under our hands on board H.M.S. Narcissus at Weihaiwei this twenty-fourth day of May one thousand sight hundred and ninety- eight.
(Here follow the signatures
of the four Commissioners.)
Goran Kom
DECLARATION.
Great Britain having leased Weihaiwei, with the consent of China, every one is enjoined to carry on their occupations quietly and peace
ably as heretofore, and to observe the law.
Disturbers of the peace will be punished. The principal inhabitants of Linkuntau will be held responsible that from this date no new inhabitant is allowed on the island or permitted to rent any building or place, or reside in the village, without first obtaining the permission
of the officer in command.
(Signed)
--
G. KINGHALL,
Capt, R.N. The Taotai then said a few words in a very low and nervous manner, your correspondent not being able to catch one word of what he *Baid.
Commaner Napier now gave the order to hoist the flag, and, to the familiar strains of "God save the Queen" the Union Jack of old England was slowly hoisted up and was saluted by all. Esto perpetua.
Commander Napier now ordered "three cheers for the Queen," which were given heartily, and one cheer for the Emperor of China Alas! poor Emperor, they are even denying him his quota of cheers.
The men were now granted leave to roam over the island till six o'clock, the officers and your correspondent retiring to head-quarters, where we drank success to our new acquisition, and thus ended the day's proceedings.
The Yeoman of Siguals, Mr. Harris of the Narcissus, was the man who had the honour of first hoisting the Union Jack on the island of Linkungtan. The flag was also boisted at the same time on the mainland, but without any ceremony. Mercury correspondent.
THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GERMANY AND CHINA.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
plans witin the leased area, she shall be at li- berty to enter into negociations with Ger- many with reference thereto; provided always that such laws or plans shall not be prejudicial to German interests. Germany may engage in works for the public benefit, such as water- works, within the territory covered by the lease, without reference to China. Should China wish to march troops or establish garrisons therein she can only do so after negociating with and obtaining the express permission of Germany.
II. His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, being desirous like the rulers of certain other countries, of establishing a naval and coaling station and constructing dockyards on the coast of China, the Emperor of China agrees to lease to him for the purpose all the land on the southern and northern sides of Kyaochow Bay for a term of ninety-nine years. Germany is to be at liberty to erect forts on this land for the defence of her possessions therein.
III-During the continuances of the lease voice in the govern. China shall have no ment or administration of the leased ter- during the whole term of ninety-nine years ritory. It will be governed and administered solely by Germany, so that the possibility of friction between the two Powers may be reduced to the smallest magnitude. The lease covers the following districts:--
(a.)-All the land in the north-east of Lien- han, adjacent to the north-eastern mouth of the Bay, within a straight line drawn from the north-eastern corner of Yintao to Laoshan-wan. (b.)—All the land in the south-west of Lien. han, adjacent to the southern mouth of the Bay, within a straight line drawn from a point on the shore of the Bay bearing south-west by south from Tsi-pe-shan-to.
(c)-Isi-pe-shan and Yintao. (d)The whole area of the Bay of Kyaochao covered at high-water.
(e.)-Certain islands at the entrance of the Bay which are ceded for the purpose of erecting forts for the defence of the German possessions. The boundaries of the leased territory shall hereafter be more exactly defined by a commis- sion appointed jointly by the Chinese and Ger- man Governments, and consisting of Chinese and German subjects. Chinese ships of war and merchant-ships, and ships of war and mer- chant-ships of countries having treaties and in a state of amity with China shall receive equal treatment with German ships of war and mer. chant ships in Kyaochao Bay during the con- tinnance of the lease. Germany is at liberty to enact any regulations she desires for the government of the territory and harbour, pro- ships of all nations, Germany and China vided such regulations apply impartially to the
included.
IV. Germany shall be at liberty to erect whatever lighthouse, beacons and other aids to navigation she chooses within the territory leased, and along the islands and coasts We (China Gazette) have obtained from Pek- approaching the entrance to the harbour. ing the following translation of the Official Vessels of China and vessels of other countries Memorandum of the Tsungli-yamen with re-entering the harbour shall be liable to special ference to the settlement of the German claims in Shangtung:-
An amicable arrangement of the missionary troubles at Tsaichow-fu, Shantung, having been arrived at by Germany and China, the two Powers immediately interested, China makes the following concessions as a mark of friendly feeling towards Germany, in the hope that the good relations existing between the two coun- tries may always continue; that they may be come more intimate; and that their mutual commerce may expand and prosper to their mutual advantage. The first concession is the leasing of Kyaochao and adjacent territories to Germany, to which the following conditions appertain :-
duties for the repair and maintenance of all light-houses, beacons and other aids to naviga tion which Germany may erect and establish. Chinese vessels shall be exempt from other special duties.
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V.-Should Germany desire to give up her interest in the leased territory before the ex- piration of ninety-nine years, China shall take over the whole area, and pay Germany for whatever German property may at the times of surrender be there situated. In cases of such
surrender taking place Germany shall be at li- berty to lease some other point along the coast Germany shall not cede the territory leased to any other Power than China. Chinese subjects shall be allowed to live in the territory leased, I-His Majesty the Emperor of China, being under the protection of the German authorities desirous of preserving the existing good relations and there carry on their avocations and business with His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, and as long as they couduct themselves as peaceable of promoting an increase of German power and and law-abiding citizens. Germany shall pay a influence in the Far East, sanctions the acquire-reasonable price to the native proprietors for ment under lease, by Germany of the land ex- whatever lands her Government or subjects tending for 100 li, at high tide (at Kyaochao), require. Fugitive Chinese criminals taking re- His Majesty the Emperor of China is willing fnge in the leased territory shall be arrested that German troops should take possession of and surrendered to the Chinese authorities for the above-mentioned territory at any time the trial and punishment, upon application to the Emperor of Germany chooses. China refrains German authorities, but the Chinese authorities her sovereignty over this territory, and should shall not be at liberty to send agents into the she at any time wish to enact laws or carry out leased territory to make arrests. The German
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authorities shall not interfere with the likin stations outside but adjacent to the territory.
The second important concession by China te Germany is
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THE RAILWAY AND MINING CONCESSION the principal provisions of which are as follows: I. The Chinese Government sanctions the construction by Germany of two lines of rail- way in Shantung. The first will run from Kyaochao and Tsinan-fu to the boundary of Shantung province via Wei-hsien, Tsinoliow, Pashan, Tsechuen and Suiping. The second line will connect Kyaochao with Chinchow, whence au extension will be constructed to Tsinan through Laiwu-hsien. The construc tion of this extension shall not be begun until completed, in order to give the Chinese an the first part of the line, the main line, is opportunity of connecting this line in the most advantageous manner with their own railway system. What places the line from Tsinan-fu is to be determined hereafter. to the provincial boundary shall take in en route
II. In order to carry out the abovo men. tioned railway work a Chino-German company places may be necessary, and in this Company shall be formed, with branches at whatever both Germany and Chinese subjects shall be at liberty to invest money if they so choose, and appoint directors for the management of the undertaking.
III. All arrangements in connection with the works specified shall be determined by a future conference of German and Chinese re- presentatives. The Chinese Government shall afford every facility and protection and extend every welcome to representatives of the German Railway Company operating in Chinese terri- tory. Profits derived from the working of these railways shall be justy divided pro rata between the shareholders without regard to nationality. The object of constructing these lines is solely the development of commerce. In inaugurating a railway system in Shangtung Germany entertains no treacherous intention towards China, and undertakes not to unlaw- fully seize any land in the province.
IV. The Chinese Government shall allow German subjects to hold and develope mining property for a distance of 30 li from each side of these railways and along the whole extent of the lines. The following places where mining operations may be carried ou are particularly specified along the northern railway from Kyaochao to Tsinan, Weihsien, "Pa-shan-hsien and various other points; and along the Southern Kyaochao-Tsinan-Chiuchow line, Chinchow-fu, Luiwubsien, etc. Chinese capital may be in- vested in these operations and arrangements for carrying on the work shall hereafter be made by a joint conference of Chinese and German representatives. All German subjects engaged in such works in Chinese territory shall be properly protected and welcomed by the Chinese authorities and all profits derived shall be fairly divided between Chinese and German shareholders according to the extent of the interest they bold in the undertakings. In trying to develope mining property in China, Germany is actuated by no treacherous motives against this country, but seeks alone to increase commerce and improve the relations between the two countries.
OTHER CONCESSIONS TO GERMANY,
If at any time the Chinese should form schemes for the development of Shantung for the execution of which it is necessary to obtain foreign capital, the Chinese Government, or whatever Chinese may be interested in such schemes, shall, in the first instance, apply to Germany capitalists. Application shall also be made to German manufacturers for the neces- sary machinery and materials before the manu- facturers of any other Power are approached. Should German capitalists or manufacturers decline to take up the business the Chinese shall then be at liberty to obtain money and materials from sources of other nationality than German.
This Convention requires the sanction of His Majesty the Emperor of China and His Majesty the Emperor of Germany. When the sanction of His Majesty the Emperor of China reaches Berlin the agreement approved by His Majesty the Emperor of Germany shall be handed to the Chinese Ambassador. When the final draft is agreed to by both parties four