Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 81

THE CHEFOO CONVENTION, 1876

WITH ADDITIONAL ARTICLE THERETO FOR REGULATING THE

TRAFFIC IN OPIUM

Ratifications exchanged at London, 6th May, 1886

Agreement negotiated between Sir Thomas Wade, K.C.B., Her Britannic Blajesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of China, and Li, Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China, Senior Grand Secretary, Governor-General of the Province of Chihli, of the First Class of the Third Order of Nobility.

The negotiation between the Ministers above named has its origin in a despatch received by Sir Thomas Wade, in the Spring of the present year, from the Earl of Derby, Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated 1st January, 1876. This contained instructions regarding the disposal of three questions: first, a satis- factory settlement of the Yünnan affair; secondly, a faithful fulfilment of engagements of last year respecting intercourse between the high officers of the two Governments; thirdly, the adoption of a uniform system in satisfaction of the understanding arrived at in the month of September, 1875 (8th moon of the 1st year of the reign Kwang Su), on the subject of rectification of conditions of trade. It is to this despatch that Sir Thomas Wade has referred himself in discussions on these questions with the Tsung-li Yamên, further reference to which is here omitted as superfluous. The conditions now agreed to between Sir Thomas Wade and the Grand Secretary are as follows:-

SECTION I-Settlement of the Yünnan Case

1.—A Memorial is to be presented to the Throne, whether by the Tsung-li Yamên or by the Grand Secretary Li is immaterial, in the sense of the memorandum prepared by Sir Thomas Wade. Before presentation the Chinese text of the Meniorial is to be shown to Sir Thomas Wade.

2. The Memorial having been presented to the Throne, and the Imperial Decree in reply received, the Tsung-li Yamen will communicate copies of the Memorial and Imperial decree of Sir Thomas Wade, together with copy of a letter from the Tsung-li Yamên to the Provincial Governments, instructing them to issue a proclama- tion that shall embody at length the above Memorial and Decree. Sir Thomas Wade will thereon reply to the effect that for two years to come officers will be sent by the British Minister to different places in the provinces to see that the proclamation is posted. On application from the British Minister or the Consul of any port instructed by him to make application, the bigh officers of the provinces will depute competent. officers to accompany those so sent to the places which they go to observe.

3.-In order to the framing of such regulations as will be needed for the conduct of the frontier trade between Burmah and Yunnan, the Memorial submitting the proposed settlement of the Yunnan affair will contain a request that an Imperial Decree be issued directing the Governor-General and Governor, whenever the British Government shall send officers to Yunnan, to select a competent officer of rank to confer with them and to conclude a satisfactory arrangement.

4. The British Government will be free for five years, from the 1st January next, being the 17th day of the 11th moon of the 2nd year of the reign of Kwang Su, to station officers at Ta-li Fu, or at some other suitable place in Yünnan, to observe the conditions of trade; to the end that they may have information upon which to base the regulations of trade when these have to be discussed. For the considera- tion and adjustment of any matter affecting British officers or subjects, these officers will be free to address themselves to the authorities of the province. The opening