Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 79

THE BURMAH CONVENTION

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of the Convention between Great Britain and China of March 1st, 1894; it has been agreed between the Governments of Great Britain and China that the following additions and alterations shall be made in the last-named Convention, hereinafter referred to as the Original Convention.

(Articles I. to XI. refer to the Burmah Frontier and trade across it between Burmah

· and Yunnan.)

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Art. XII. (Providing for the free navigation of the Irrawady by Chinese vessels). Add

as follows: The Chinese Government agree hereafter to consider whether the conditions of trade justify the construction of railways in Yunnan, and in the event of their construction, agrees to connect them with the Burmese lines.

Art. XIII.—Whereas by the Original Convention it was agreed that China might appoint a Consul in Burmah to reside at Rangoon, and that Great Britain might appoint a Consul to reside at Manwyne, and that the Consuls of the two Governments should each within the territories of the other enjoy the same privileges and immunities as the Consuls of the most favoured nation, and further that in proportion as the commerce between Burmah and China increased, additional Consuls might be appointed by mutual consent to reside at such places in Burmah and Yunnan as the requirements of trade might seem to demand.

It has now been agreed that the Government of Great Britain may station a Consul at Momein or Shunning Fu as the Government of Great Britain may prefer, instead of at Manwyne as stipulated in the Original Convention, and also to station a Consul at Szumao.

British subjects and persons under British protection may establish themselves and trade at these places under the same conditions as at the Treaty Ports in China.

The Consuls appointed as above shall be on the same footing as regards correspondence and intercourse with Chinese officials as the British Consuls at the Treaty Ports.

Art. XIV. (Providing for issue of passports by the Consuls on each side of the frontier).--Instead of "Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Manwyne" in the Original Convention read "Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Shunning or Momein,' in accordance with the change made in Article XIII.

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Failing agreement as to the terms of revision the present arrangement shall ' remain in force.

SPECIAL ARTICLE

Whereas on the twentieth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, the Tsung-li Yamén addressed an official despatch to Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, informing him that on the thirtieth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, they had submitted a Memorial respecting the opening of ports on the West River to foreign trade, and had received an Imperial Decree in approval of which they officially communicated a copy.

It has now been agreed that the following places, namely, Wuchow Fu in Kwangsi, and Samshui city and Bongkun Market in Kwangtung, shall be opened as Treaty Ports and Consular Stations with freedom of navigation for steamers between Samshui and Wuchow and Hongkong and Canton by a route from each of these latter places to be selected and notified in advance by the Maritime Customs, and that the following four places shall be established as ports of call for goods and passengers under the same regulations as the ports of call on the Yangtze River, namely, Kongmoon, Kamchuk, Shiuhing and Takhing.

It is agreed that the present Agreement, together with the Special Article, shall come into force within four months of the date of signature, and that the ratifications thereof shall be exchanged at Peking as soon as possible.

In witness whereof the undersigned duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments have signed the present agreement.