Directory_and_Chronicle_1930 — Page 267

RUSSIA

TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN JAPAN AND RUSSIA

SIGNED AT PORTSMOUTH, U.S.A., AUGUST 23rd, 1905

Ratified November 5th, 1905

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on the one part, and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias on the other part, animated by the desire to restore the blessings of peace to their countries and peoples, have resolved to conclude a Treaty of Peace, and have, for this purpose, named their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say:-

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, His Excellency Baron Komura Jutaro, Jusammi, Grand Cordon of the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun, His Minister for Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency M. Takahira Kogoro, Jusammi, Grand Cordon of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure, His Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America; and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, His Excellency M. Serge Witte, His Secretary of State and President of the Committee of Ministers of the Empire of Russia, and His Excellency Baron Roman Rosen, Master of the Imperial Court of Russia and His Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America; Who, after having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in good and due form, have concluded the following Articles:-

Art. I.-There shall henceforth be peace and amity between Their Majesties the Emperor of Japan and the Emperor of all the Russias, and between their respective States and subjects.

Art. II.-The Imperial Russian Government, acknowledging that Japan possesses in Korea paramount political, military, and economical interests, engage neither to obstruct nor interfere with the measures of guidance, protection, and control which the Imperial Government of Japan may find it necessary to take

in Korea.

It is understood that Russian subjects in Korea shall be treated exactly in the same manner as the subjects or citizens of other foreign Powers, that is to say, they shall be placed on the same footing as the subjects or citizens of the most favoured nation.

It is also agreed that, in order to avoid all cause of misunderstanding, the two high contracting parties will abstain, on the Russo-Korean frontier, from taking any military measure which may menace the security of Russian or Korean territory.

Art. III.-Japan and Russia mutually engage-

(1.) To evacuate completely and simultaneously Manchuria, except the territory affected by the lease of the Liaotung Peninsula, in conformity with the provisions of additional Article I. annexed to this Treaty; and

(2.) To restore entirely and completely to the exclusive administration of China all portions of Manchuria now in the occupation or under the control of the Japanese or Russian troops, with the exception of the territory above mentioned.

The Imperial Government of Russia declare that they have not in Manchuria any territorial advantages or preferential or exclusive concessions in impairment of Chinese sovereignty or inconsistent with the principle of equal opportunity.

Art. IV.-Japan and Russia reciprocally engage not to obstruct any general measures common to all countries which China may take for the development of the -commerce and industry of Manchuria.