Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 218

COMMERCIAL TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED

STATES AND CHINA

SIGNED AT SHANGHAI, 8TH OCTOBER, 1903

[Translation]

The United States of America and His Majesty the Emperor of China, being animated by an earnest desire to extend further the commercial relations between them and otherwise to promote the interests of the peoples of the two countries, in view of the provisions of the first paragraph of Article XI. of the Final Protocol signed at Peking on the 7th day of September, A.D. 1901, whereby the Chinese Gov- ernment agreed to negotiate the amendments deemed necessary by the foreign Governments to the Treaties of Commerce and Navigation and other subjects concern- ing commercial relations, with the object of facilitating them, have for that purpose named as their Plenipotentiaries:-

The United States of America, Edwin H. Conger, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to China; John Goodnow, Consul-General of the United States of America at Shanghai, John F. Seaman, a Citizen of the United States of America resident at Shanghai;

And His Majesty the Emperor of China, Lu Pai-huan, President of the Board of Public Works: Sheng Hsuan-huai, Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, formerly Senior Vice President of the Board of Public Works; Wu Ting Fang, Senior Vice-President of the Board of Commerce;

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Who, having met and duly exchanged their full powers, which were found to be proper form, have agreed upon the following amendments to existing Treaties of Commerce and Navigation previously concluded between the two countries, and upon the subjects hereinafter expressed connected with commercial relations, with the object of facilitating them.

Art. I.-In accordance with international custom, and as the diplomatic representative of China has the right to reside in the Capital of the United States, and to enjoy there the same prerogatives, privileges and immunities as are enjoyed by the similar representative of the most favoured nation, the diplomatic representa- tive of the United States shall have the right to reside at the capital of His Majesty the Emperor of China. He shall be given audience of His Majesty the Emperor whenever necessary to present his letters of credence or any communication from the President of the United States. At all such times he shall be received in a place and in a manner befitting his high position, and on all such occasions the ceremonial observed toward him shall be that observed toward the representatives of nations on a footing of equality, with no loss of prestige on either side.

The diplomatic representatives of the United States shall enjoy all the preroga. tives, privileges and immunities accorded by international usage to such representatives, and shall in all respects be entitled to the treatment extended to similar representatives of the most favoured nation.

The English text of all notes or despatches from United States officials to Chinese officials, and the Chinese text of all notes or despatches from Chinese officials to United States officials shall be authoritative.

Art. II. As China may appoint consular officers to reside in the United States and to enjoy there the same attributes, privileges and immunities as are enjoyed by consular officers of other nations, the United States may appoint, as its interests may