Directory_and_Chronicle_1903 — Page 156

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THE KIAOCHOW CONVENTION BETWEEN GERMANY AND CHINA

Germany for whatever German property may at the time of surrender be there situated. In cases of such surrender taking place Germany shall be at liberty to lease me other point along the coast. Germany shall not cede the territory leased to any ther Power than China. Chinese subjects shall be allowed to live in the territory ased, under the protection of the German authorities, and there carry on their avoca- tions and business as long as they conduct themselves as peaceable and law-abiding itizens. Germany shall pay a reasonable price to the native proprietors for whatever lands her Government or subjects require. Fugitive Chinese criminals taking refuge in the leased territory shall be arrested and surrendered to the Chinese authorities for trial and punishment, upon application to the German authorities, but the Chinese authorities shall not be at liberty to send agents into the leased territory to make arrests. The German authorities shall not interfere with the lekin stations outside bat adjacent to the territory.

THE RAILWAY AND MINING CONCESSION

I. The Chinese Government sanctions the construction by Germany of two ines of railway in Shantung. The first will run from Kiaochow and Tsinan-fu to the boundary of Shantung province via Wei-hsien, Tsinchow, Pashan, Tsechuen and Suiping. The second line will connect Kiaochow with Chinchow, whence an extension will be constructed to Tsinan through Laiwu-hsien. The construction of this extension -ball not be begun until the first part of the line, the main line, is completed, in order to give the Chinese an opportunity of connecting this line in the most advan- tageous manner with their own railway system. What places the line from Tsinan-fu

the provincial boundary shall take in en route is to be determined hereafter.

II-In order to carry out the above mentioned railway work a Chino-German Company shall be formed, with branches at whatever places may be necessary, and in this Company both German and Chinese subjects shall be at liberty to invest money if they so choose, and appoint directors for the management of the undertaking.

III.—All arrangements in connection with the works specified shall be determined a future conference of German and Chinese representatives. The Chinese Govern- ment shall afford every facility and protection and extend every welcome to represent- atives of the German Railway Company operating in Chinese territory. Profits derived from the working of these railways shall be justly divided pro rata between the shareholders without regard to nationality. The object of constructing these mes is solely the development of commerce. În inaugurating a railway system in Shantung Germany entertains no treacherous intention towards China, and under-

akes not to unlawfully seize any land in the province.

IV.—The Chinese Government shall allow German subjects to hold and develop mining property for a distance of 30 li from each side of these railways and along he whole extent of the lines. The following places where mining operations may le carried on are particularly specified along the northern railway from Kaochow to Tsinan, Weihsien, Pa-shan-hsien and various other points; and along the Southern Kiaochow-Tsinan-Chinchow line, Chinchow-fu. Luiwuhsien, etc. Chinese capital may - invested in these operations and arrangements for carrying on the work shall reafter be made by a joint conference of Chinese and German representatives. All German subjects engaged in such works in Chinese territory shall be properly protected and welcomed by the Chinese authorities and all profits derived shall be airly divided between Chinese and German shareholders according to the extent of The interest they hold in the undertakings. In trying to develope mining property o China, Germany is actuated by no treacherous motives against this country, but weks alone to increase commerce and improve the relations between the two countries. If at any time the Chinese should form schemes for the development of Shantung, for the execution of which it is necessary to obtain foreign capital, the Chinese