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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.}
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AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
A
[May 3.]
RECO
CONFIDENTIAL.
REG? 16 JUN 11
SECTION 1.
[15267]
No. 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office to Colonial Office.
Foreign Office, May 3, 1911. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo enclosing the revised draft of the proposed Anglo-Chinese customs agreement.
Sir E. Grey concurs generally in the proposal of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to approve the terms of the draft. He would, however, make the following suggestions--
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1. The arrangement, as already indicated, should be referred to throughout as an agreement."
2. There appears to be no necessity for retaining the words "it shall be ratified down to "present convention" (sic).
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It is not usual for agreements between Governments to contain ratification clauses, and in no circumstances could there be ratification (which is a sovereign act) by Governments.
The approval of the respective Governments is implied by the terms of the preamble, which states they have authorised their representatives to sign the
I am, &c.
instrument.
[2023 c-1]
F. A. CAMPBELL.
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