enjoyed by foreigners for their lives, property and legitimate business and other interests, might be progressively transferred to Chinese courts. pari passu with the particular improvements in the administration of Chinese justice.
(3.) Finally, the commission will, it is hoped, since His Majesty's Government are anxious that no time should be lost in removing as many as possible of the causes of friction which in recent years have marred the relations between China and the Powers, be able to recommend measures to be put in force immediately with a view to remedying any abuses of the present system and any unnecessary encroachments upon China's sovereign rights.
I am, &c.
ANNEX.
AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN.
Resolution adopted by the Conference on the Limitation of Armament regarding Extra-territoriality in China.—Washington, December 10, 1921.
The representatives of the Powers hereinafter named, participating in the discussion of Pacific and Far Eastern questions in the Couference on the Limitation of Armament, to wit, the United States of America, Belgium, the British Empire, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Portugal;
Having taken note of the fact that in the treaty between Great Britain and China, dated the 5th September, 1902, in the treaty between the United States of America and China, dated the 8th October, 1903, and in the treaty between Japan and China, dated the 8th October, 1903, these several Powers have agreed to give every assistance towards the attainment by the Chinese Government of its expressed desire to reform its judicial system and to bring it into accord with that of Western nations, and have declared that they are also " prepared to relinquish extra-territorial rights when satisfied that the state of the Chinese laws, the arrangements for their administration, and other considerations warrant" them in so doing;
Being sympathetically disposed towards furthering in this regard the aspiration to which the Chinese delegation gave expression on the 16th November, 1921, to the effect that "immediately, or as soon as circumstances will permit, existing limitations upon China's political, jurisdictional and administrative freedom of action are to be removed";
Considering that any determination in regard to such action as might be appropriate to this end must depend upon the ascertainment and appreciation of complicated statements of fact in regard to the laws and the judicial system and the methods of judicial administration of China, which this conference is not in a position to determine;
Have resolved, That the Governments of the Powers above named shall establish a commission (to which each of such Governments shall appoint one member) to enquire into the present practice of extra-territorial jurisdiction in China, and into the laws and the judicial systein and the methods of judicial administration of China, with a view to reporting to the Governments of the several Powers above named their findings of fact in regard to these matters, and their recommendations as to such means as they may find suitable to improve the existing conditions of the administration of justice in China, and to assist and further the efforts of the Chinese Government to effect such legislative and judicial reforms as would warrant the several Powers in relinquishing, either progressively or otherwise, their respective rights of extra-territoriality;
That the commission herein contemplated shall be constituted within three months after the adjournment of the conference in accordance with detailed arrangements to be hereafter agreed upon by the Governments of the Powers above named, and shall be instructed to submit its report and recommendations within one year after the first meeting of the commission;
That each of the Powers above named shall be deemed free to accept or to reject all or any portion of the recommendations of the commission herein contemplated, but that in no case shall any of the said Powers make its acceptance of all or any portion of such recommendations, either directly or indirectly, dependent on the granting by China of any special concession, favour, benefit or immunity, whether political or economic.
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Additional Resolution.
That the non-signatory Powers, having by treaty extra-territorial rights in China, may accede to the resolution affecting extra-territoriality and the administration of justice in China by depositing within three months after the adjournment of the conference a written notice of accession with the Government of the United States for communication by it to each of the signatory Powers.
Additional Resolution.
That China, having taken note of the resolutions affecting the establishment of a commission to investigate and report upon extra-territoriality and the administration of justice in China, expresses its satisfaction with the sympathetic disposition of the Powers herein before named in regard to the aspiration of the Chinese Government to secure the abolition of extra-territoriality in China, and declares its intention to appoint a representative who shall have the right to sit as a member of the said commission, it being understood that China shall be deemed free to accept or to reject any or all of the recommendations of the commission. Furthermore, China is prepared to co-operate in the work of this commission and to afford to it every possible facility for the successful accomplishment of its tasks.
Adopted by the Conference on the Limitation of Armament at the fourth plenary session, the 10th December, 1921.
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