CO537-3706 — Page 233

the Peking Convention, and that the same

considerations apply as in the case of territory

held by His Majesty's Government in full

Sovereignty. The second paragraph of the

Convention provides that within the remainder of

the newly leased territory Great Britain shall

have sole jurisdiction. This is presented in

contrast to the limitation on the jurisidetion

within the city of Kowloon, and emphasis rests

on the word "sole." Moreover, it is clear from

is

This

the context that the word "jurisdiction

used in a broad sense; referring to the general

powers of government and administration and is

not limited to jurisdiction in the judicial sense.

On this interpretation the holding of an election

is clearly an exercise of jurisdiction.

view is supported by some of the other provisions

of the Peking Convention which make specific

reservations in favour of the Chinese; thus, the

third paragraph reserves to Chinese men-of-war,

merchant and passenger vessels the right to come

and go and lie at the landing place near Kowloon

City. The seventh paragraph of the Convention

also reserves to Chinese vessels of war the right

to use the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay. If

it was necessary to make these specific savings

in favour of the Chinese it seems to emphasize

the breadth of the jurisdiction granted for the

period of the lease, and if the Chinese in 1898

wanted to make any reservation as to the holding

of elections they ought to have added a further

specific reservation for this purpose.

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN.