THE UNITED KINGDOM AND GERMANY RELATIVE TO CHINA
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3. In case of another Power making use of the complications in China in order to obtain under any form whatever such territorial advantages, the two Contracting Parties reserve to themselves to come to a preliminary understanding as to the eventual steps to be taken for the protection of their own interests in China.
4. The two Governments will communicate this Agreement to the other Powers interested, and especially to Austria-Hungary, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States of America, and will invite them to accept the principles recorded in it.
My Lord,
No. 2.
COUNT HATZFELDT TO THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY.
(RECEIVED OCTOBER 16TH.)
(Translation.)
GERMAN EMBASSY, LONDON,
October 16th, 1900.
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that my Government have con- curred in the following points agreed to between your Excellency and myself:-
The Imperial German Government and Her Britannic Majesty's Government, being desirous to maintain their interests in China and their rights under existing Treaties, have agreed to observe the following principles in regard to their mutual policy in China:
1. It is a matter of joint and permanent international interest that the ports on the rivers and littoral of China should remain free and open to trade and to every other legitimate form of economic activity for the nationals of all countries without distinction; and the two Governments agree on their part to uphold thə same for all Chinese territory as far as they can exercise influence.
2. The Imperial German Government and Her Britannic Majesty's Govern- ment will not, on their part, make use of the present complication to obtain for themselves any territorial advantages in Chinese dominious, and will direct their policy towards maintaining undiminished the territorial condition of the Chinese Empire.
3. In case of another Power making use of the complications in China in order to obtain under any form whatever such territorial advantages, the two Contracting Parties reserve to themselves to come to a preliminary understanding as to the eventual steps to be taken for the protection of their own interests in China.
4. The two Governments will communicate this Agreement to the other Powers interested, and especially to Austria-Hungary, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States of America, and will invite them to accept the principles recorded in it.
With the highest respect, &c., &c.,
(Signed)
HATZFELDT.
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