1
This article was modified by the agreement between Great Britain and China of the 4th February, 1897, as follows:----
"In addition to the Manwyne and Sansi routes sanctioned by the convention of 1894, the Governments of Great Britain and China agree that any other routes, the opening of which the boundary commissioners may find to be in the interests of trade, shall be sanctioned on the same terms as those mentioned above.”
This instrument also lays down that, "failing agreement as to the terms of revision, the present arrangements (which were for six years from the ratification of the 1894 convention) shall remain in force."
A special arrangement exists between Russia and China for the encouragement of trade across the Chinese frontier (treaty of the 14th November, 1860), article 4 of which says:-
"Sur toute la ligne-frontière établie par l'article 1 du présent traité, un commerce d'échange libre, et frane de droits, est autorisé entre les sujets des deux pays.
"Les chef's locaux des frontières doivent accorder une protection particulière à ce commerce et à ceux qui l'exercent.”
The late Sir E. Hertslet considored that it was quite a matter of doubt whether the Russians and the Chinese had strictly a right to conclude such a convention should the practical working of it be proved to be injurious to British trade, since we are entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment in China with regard to imports and exports by article 24 of the treaty of the 26th June, 1858. (Sir E. Hertslet, memorandum of the 3rd August, 1880.)
Article 54 of that treaty says:——
"It is hereby expressly stipulated that the British Government and its subjects will be allowed full and equal participation in all privileges, immunities, and advantages that may have been, or may be hereafter, granted by His Majesty the Emperor of China to the Government or subject of any other Power.
Foreign Office, July 26, 1910.
•
G. DE B.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[26525]
(No. 290.) Sir.
3447
of 3 FEB
[August 19.]
SECTION 3.
No. 1,
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Max Müller.
Foreign Office, August 19, 1910. I TRANSMIT to you herewith a copy of correspondence* with the Colonial Office relative to an enquiry received from the Officer administering the Government of Hong Kong as to whether that colony could, by virtue of the most-favoured-nation clause, claim the benefit of privileges similar to those conferred upon France by the Additional Convention of Commerce between France and China, dated the 26th June, 1887.
In connection with the last paragraph of my reply, I request that you will report to me any concessions which may be made in the future to Germany or Japan as regards the trade by land between China and the territories occupied by those countries in Shantung and Manchuria and Corea respectively.
[2862 t-3]
I am, &c.
E. GREY.
* Colonial Office, July 21; to Colonial Office, August 19, 1910.
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