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in a very cordial atmosphere of the new agreement, of which a copy is enclosed as well as the enclosed statement(') showing the differences in the text as compared with the agreement of the 18th February. The old agreement, which embodied largely a draft by Mr. Okazaki, was purposely for that reason altered as little as possible. The alterations were all made, first, in order to allow specifically a shuttle passenger service, and, secondly, with a view to greater clarity and to the avoidance of differences of interpretation.
4. Whether, in order to emphasise a contrast with the unpleasant atmosphere prevailing in Tientsin, or whether because he appreciated that his action in refusing permission for the departure of the steamship Fatshan after < reculer agreement reached was unjustified. or whether it is merely a case of pour mieux sauter," it is pleasing to record the reasonableness and even helpful- ness which Mr. Okazaki has recently displayed over this and other matters.
5. I venture to take this opportunity to express my thanks to your Excellency for your personal helpfulness to myself in regard to the revision of this agreement.
I have, &c.
Enclosure 2.
A. P. BLUNT.
Temporary Agreement regarding Navigation of the Pearl River by certain British vessels and risits to Hong Kong by certain Japanese vessels, pending restoration of the Pearl River to normal navigation. If there are differences of interpretation, they will be rectified amicably, as far as possible, between the British and Japanese Consuls-General at Canton.
IT is understood that the call of Japanese Government chartered vessels to Hong Kong or the call of British vessels to Canton is not to be construed as partial opening of the Pearl River for trade.
2. It is further understood that any request made either by the Japanese or British authorities, or any agreement reached between them on either side. is without prejudice to any legal or treaty position involved, and, in particular, without prejudice to any rights claimed by British merchant vessels in respect of free navigation of the Pearl River under treaties with China.
3. In order to facilitate the movement of passengers between Hong Kong and Canton and rice versa, the Hong Kong Government agrees that Japanese Government chartered vessels may visit Hong Kong from time to time (upon the conditions mentioned in paragraph 4 below), and the Japanese authorities agree that British passenger ships may visit Canton from time to time (upon the condi- tions mentioned in paragraph 5 below). It is further agreed that no application for a visit to Hong Kong will be made on behalf of any Japanese Government chartered vessel which carries munitions or any dangerous stores or cargo. It is immaterial to the Hong Kong Government, under this temporary agreement, how often visits are paid by Japanese Government chartered vessels, and whether such visits are made by way of calls en route to or from outside ports (e.g., Japanese ports. Shanghai or Amov) or by way of shuttle service between Canton and Hong Kong, provided that the Japanese authorities in return agree to an acceptable number of visits by British passenger ships.
It is further agreed that a ratio of two visits by Japanese ships to one visit by a British ship will be accepted as a basis for the purpose of this temporary agreement.
Further, it is agreed that, irrespective of the number of ships requested by the other party, the Japanese authorities will be entitled to acceptance by the British authorities of requests for four Japanese Government chartered vessels in each direction in any period of four weeks and similarly the British authorities will be entitled to acceptance of requests for one British vessel in each direction in any period of two weeks.
(NOTE-A visit under this agreement means one round trip between Canton
and Hong Kong.)
(1) Not printed.
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4. The Japanese Government chartered vessels may call at Hong Kong under the following conditions:-
(a)(1) At least forty-eight hours previous notice will be given to the British Consul-General in Canton for agreement, and reply will be returned as soon as possible.
(2) Such vessels will fly the merchant vessel ensign at the stern and a special flag (naval or military transport flag) indicating their character as Government chartered vessels at the yardarm.
(b) Such vessels may embark or disembark passengers of all nationalities at Hong Kong (subject to the ordinary regulations of the Hong Kong Government).
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(c) No cargo may be taken in or discharged at Hong Kong (personal effects
of the passengers who land or board at Hong Kong excepted).
(d) For quarantine purposes, the medical officer on board will sign, and the captain will further sign. a guarantee that there is no case of infectious disease on board. Where such guarantee is given. passengers who do not intend to land will not be examined. Passengers intending to land will be subject to medical examination by the Hong Kong medical authorities.
If no properly qualified medical officer be on board the Govern- ment chartered vessel, the Hong Kong medical authorities may examine all passengers. Vaccination certificates held by such passengers, how- ever, will be respected by such authorities as far as possible.
(e) Production of manifest or examination of cargo will not be demanded, but instead, the captain will fill in and sign the attached form which is drawn up in the form of a guarantee.
(f) No passenger list will be demanded in respect of through passengers who do not wish to land at Hong Kong, but the captain will give a written document stating the number of such passengers.
The captain will hand in a passenger list of those who propose to to land.
(g) No store list will be demanded, but instead the captain will give a
guarantee that no stores will be allowed to leave the vessel.
(h) Entry and clearance of vessel will be duly made by the proper persons
concerned.
(2) Any normal charges will be paid.
(NOTE. Sub-paragraphs (d) to (f) inclusive of this paragraph do not apply to shuttle service vessels, which will be treated in these matters by the Hong Kong Government in the normal way.)
5. British vessels may call at Canton under the following conditions:—
(a) At least forty-eight hours' previous notice will be given to the Japanese Consul-General at Canton for agreement, and reply will be returned as soon as possible.
(b) Such vessels may carry passengers of all nationalities (including their personal effects), but neither merchandise nor other cargo may be carried. Goods necessary for the foreign community of Canton may be carried, by previous agreement with the Japanese Consul-General in Canton in each case. Any suitable goods (whether personal effects or other goods) shall be notified to the customs.
(c) A list of intending passengers of such vessels in either direction will be given to the Japanese Consuls-General at Hong Kong and Canton respectively as long as possible in advance, and the passage of indi- vidual passengers may be subject to his veto. But he shall not without reason given withhold consent. No objection will be made to verifica- tion of the passengers and examination of their baggage (and other cargo) by the Japanese authorities at Canton not responsible.
(d) For quarantine purposes the Japanese medical authorities at Canton
may examine passengers when necessary.
(e) A Japanese pilot will be on board the vessel between Canton and Bocca
Tigris. Reasonable pilotage fees may be charged.
() Navigation through the Pearl River will be limited to day time. (g) No call shall be made by such vessels between Canton and Hong Kong.
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