CO129-359 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [12] — Page 405

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

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