in Ching or Chinese Waters but it would be well that this
should be made quite clear by the insertion of the words
*in China or Chinese waters" after the words "High Con-
tracting Parties", and that it should be understood that
such territories as Hong Kong and Weihaiwei are included
Article VII The Board strongly object to the inclusion of
this Article which gives six months protection to pirates
It may perhaps ultimately be found requisite to nocept it
in order to secure the conclusion of a Convention from
which we have something to gain, but it is thought that
for the present at least, ite inclusion in the Convention
should be resisted.
Article VIII The remarks already made in respect of
Article II apply equally to this propoasi.
Article 14 merely deals with the ratification of the Con-
vention and calls for no remark
A copy of the Japanese draft Convention embodying the foregoing alterations is enclosed herewith. In ad
dition to the alterations noted, however, the board would
suggest the insertion in the draft of an Article prohibit-
ing the use of the Japanese and British Royal Arms (See
Sir V. Lacdonald's despatch of March 11th last, No.55 Com-
mercial), and further that it would be desirable to induce
the Japanese Government, if possible, to append a declara-
tion to the Convention similar to that originally proposed to be appended to the Convention which they concluded with
the United States of America.
1 am to add that the Colonial office, with which
Department the board have Loen in communication on this
point, have furnished the board with copy of a despatch
from the Governor of liong Kong to the effect that, if
requisite
4
397