12
2.
68
inmediately succeeding telegram,
British merchants,
however, will gain nothing whatevor from such an article and we may be exposed to criticism when, after the con-
clusion of the treaty, it is found that British mer-
chants are still restricted to the existing treaty
ports. Is there likely to be strong criticism on this point from the British communities in China?
2. You nay, if necessary, agree to French as a
third language. But will it not be best to follow precedent of tariff autonomy Treaty with Persia of 1928 and sign only in English and Chinese, inserting a clause providing for preparation of a French translation which shall be authoritative? Draft of such a clause,
which might be inserted as a separate article, is con-
12 tained in my telegram No.54.
This would save weeks of
delay in signature and avoid serious risk of error in-
volved in producing a French text before the others
are definitely settled.
3. You might insist on ten years for the duration of the treaty as a whole, but agree, if
necessary, that with regard to reserved areas, special chambers and Legal counsellors megotiations may be
entered into at any time after the expiry of thres or five years from the date of entry into force of the treaty, with a view to making by mutual agreement such modi- fications and improvements as experience of the actual working of the new institutions may have shown to be
desirable. Thore is, however, the danger that the
Chinese may try to force our hand by creating
difficulties