CO129-464 - Public Offices - 1920 — Page 525

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Our high Commissioner will sene from Lisbon and it is but reasonable that a data be fixed for the meeting so that he may arrive in due time and have not to wait indefinitely. (2) That a time limit be fixed for the Cenalusion of the negotiations,

(3) That in case the negotiations come to a dandlock, the metter be aubmitted to arbitration, as otherwise the des limitation will never be concluded. By in isting upon this clause we give a preof of our sincere desire of putting and end to constant friction between the covernment of Kaane and we hope that this desire be reciprocated by Chira, (4) That the meetings of the High Commissioners be held

in Hongkong, as it is a colony belonging to a

third power and is situated nearly at equal distance from Vades and

Canton,

(b) Nodification of Extradition Ruler -------

(a) Vedification fe of the Harbour Regulations :

In your counter-proposal you added four clauses to the three proposed by us i

We accept slauses (5) and (7) but we are sorry to say that we dannot accept olammes (4) and (6), These twe clauses attempt to lay down a fixed boundary between Portuguese and Chinese waters and as this is of the very essence of Delimitation, it can only be decided by the High Commissioners appointed by the twe Countries to that effect.

Pending the Delimitation, bath Portugal and China are bound by the Treaty to maintain the "status quo", and under no circumstances will our Governmen§-ment accept any proposals which interfere with such "status que".

If China is envious, as Portugal is, to have this *mm matter decided an speedily na ponsible, it is ab- solutely essential that provision should be made for sub- mitting the whole question to arbitration in the event of the negotiations between the High Commissioners anding in

■ deadlock,