Directory_and_Chronicle_1906 — Page 204

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COMMERCIAL TREATY BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND CHINA

the provisions of this Article shall take effect, and an Imperial Edict shall be published in due form on yellow paper and circulated throughout the Empire of China setting forth the abolition of all lekin taxation, duties on goods in transit, offices, stations and barriers for collecting the same, and of all descriptions of internal taxation on foreign goods, and the imposition of the surtax on the import of foreign goods and on the export of native goods, and the other fiscal changes and reforms provided for in this Article, all of which shall take effect from the said date. The Edict shall state that the provincial high officials are responsible that any official disregarding the letter or the spirit of its injunction shall be severely punished and removed from his post.

Art. V.-The tariff duties to be paid by citizens of the United States on goods imported into China shall be as set forth in the schedule annexed hereto and made part of this Treaty, subject only to such amendment and changes as are authorised by Article IV. of the present convention, or as may hereafter be agreed upon by the present High Contracting Parties. It is expressly agreed, however, that citizens of the United States shall at no time pay other or higher duties than those paid by the citizens or subjects of the most favoured nation.

Conversely, Chinese subjects shall not pay higher duties on their imports into the United States than those paid by the citizens or subjects of the most favoured nation.

Art. VI. The Government of China agrees to the establishment by citizens of the United States of warehouses approved by the proper Chinese authorities as bonded warehouses at the several open ports of China, for storage, re-packing, or preparation for shipment of lawful goods, subject to such needful regulations for the protection of the revenue of China, including a reasonable scale of fees according to com- modities, distance from the custom house, and hours of working, as shall be made from time to time by the proper officers of the Government of China.

Art. VII.-The Chinese Government, recognising that it is advantageous for the country to develop its mineral resources, and that it is desirable to attract foreign as well as Chinese capital to embark in mining enterprises, agrees, within one year from the signing of this Treaty, to initiate and conclude the revision of the existing mining regulations. To this end China will, with all expedition and earnestness, go into the whole question of mining rules; and, selecting from the rules of the United States and other countries, regulations which seem applicable to the condition of China, will recast its present mining rules in such a way as, while promoting the interests of Chinese subjects and not injuring in any way the sovereign rights of China, will offer no impediment to the attraction of foreign capital nor place foreign capitalists at a greater disadvantage than they would be under generally accepted foreign regulations; and will permit citizens of the United States to carry ou in Chinese territory mining operations and other necessary business relating thereto, provided they comply with the new regulations and conditions which may be imposed by China on its subjects and foreigners alike, relating to the opening of mines, the renting of mineral land, and the payment of royalty, and provided they apply for permits, the provisions of which in regard to necessary business relating to such operations shall be observed. The residence of citizens of the United States in connection with such mining operations shall be subject to such regulations as shall be agreed upon between the United States and China.

Any mining concession granted after the publication of such new rules shall be subject to their provisions.

Art. VIII. Drawback certificates for the return of duties shall be issued by the Imperial Maritime Customs to citizens of the United States within three weeks of the presentation to the Customs of the papers entitling the applicant to receive such drawback certificates, and they shall be receivable at their face value in payment of duties of all kinds (tounage dues excepted) at the port of issue; or shall, in the case of drawbacks on foreign goods re-exported within three years from the date of importation, be releem ble by the Imperial Maritime Customs in full in rely money at the port of issue, at the option of the holders thereof. But if, in conection with any application for a drawback certficate, the Customs authorities discover an