Directory_and_Chronicle_1886 — Page 920

TREATY OF PEACE, FRIENDSHIP, AND COMMERCE BETWEEN FRANCE AND CHINA,

SIGNED AT TIENTSIN, 9TH JUNE, 1885.

The President of the French Republic and His Majesty the Emperor of China, each animated by an equal desire to bring to an end the difficulties to which their simultaneous intervention in the affairs of Annam has given rise, and wishing to re-establish and improve the relations of friendship and commerce which previously existed between France and China, have resolved to conclude a new treaty securing the common interests of the two nations on the basis of the preliminary Convention signed at Tientsin on the 11th May, 1884, and ratified by Imperial decree on the 13th April, 1885.

For this purpose the two high contracting parties have named as their plenipo- tentiaries, that is to say :-

The President of the French Republic, M. Jules Patenôtre, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary for France in China, Officer of the Legion of Honour, Grand Cross of the Swedish Order of the Pole Star, &c., &c., &c.

And His Majesty the Emperor of China, Li Hung-chang, Imperial Commissioner, Senior Grand Secretary of State, Honorary Senior Tutor of the Heir Presumptive, Superintendent of Trade for the Northern Ports, Governor-General of the Province of Chihli, of the First Class of the Third Order of Nobility, with the title of Sou-yi ; Assisted by Hsi Chen, Imperial Commissioner, Member of the Tsung-li Yamên, President of the Board of Punishments. Administrator of the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance, Director of Schools for the Education of the Hereditary Officers of the Left Wing of the Tartar Army at Peking, Commander-in-chief of the Chinese con- tingent of the Yellow Bordered Banner;

And Teng Chang-su, Imperial Commissioner, Member of the Tsung-li Yamên, Director of the Board of Ceremonies ;

Who, having communicated their full powers, which have been found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following Articles:

Art. I.-France engages to re-establish and maintain order in the provinces of Annam which border upon the Chinese empire. For this purpose she will take the necessary measures to disperse or expel the bands of pirates and vagabonds which disturb the public peace, and to prevent their collecting together again. Nevertheless the French troops shall not, under any circumstances, cross the frontier which separates Tonquin from China, which frontier France promises both to respect herself and to guarantee against any aggression whatsoever.

On her side China undertakes to disperse or expel such bands as may take refuge in her provinces bordering on Tonquin and to disperse those which it may be attempted to form there for the purpose of causing trouble amongst the populations placed under the protection of France; and in consideration of the guarantees which have been given as to the security of the frontier she is in the same way debarred from sending troops into Tonquin. The high contracting parties will fix by a special convention the conditions under which the extradition of evil doers between China and Annam shall be effected.

The Chinese, whether colonists or disbanded soldiers, who live peaceably in Annam, supporting themselves by agriculture, industry, or trade, and whose conduct shall give no cause of complaint, shall enjoy the same protection for their persons and property as French protégés.