Directory_and_Chronicle_1930 — Page 402

THE CHINA (TREATY OF PEACE) ORDER IN

COUNCIL, 1919

AT THE COURT AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, THE 9TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1919

PRESENT:

The King's Most Excellent Majesty

Lord President

Lord Chamberlain

Lord Somerleyton

Sir Frederick Ponsonby

Whereas at Versailles, on the 28th day of June, 1919, a Treaty of Peace with Germany (hereinafter referred to as "the Treaty") was signed on behalf of His Majesty; and

Whereas it was provided in the Treaty that the property of German nationals within the territory or under the control of an Allied or Associated State might be constituted a pledge for enemy liabilities upon the conditions laid down in the Treaty; and

Whereas by the Treaty of Peace Act, 1919, it was provided that His Majesty might make such appointments, establish such offices, make such Orders in Council, and do such things as appeared to Him to be necessary for carrying out the Treaty, and for giving effect to any of the provisions thereof; and

Whereas by Treaty, grant, usage, sufferance, or other lawful means His Majesty has power and jurisdiction in China; and

Whereas there is now in China certain property of German nationals under the control of His Majesty, and it is expedient to make provision for charging such pro- perty with the payment of the liabilities for which it may be constituted a pledge by the Treaty in the manner hereinafter provided:

Now, therefore, His Majesty, by virtue and in exercise of the powers in this behalf by the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1890, or otherwise in Him vested, is pleased, by and with the advice of His Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows:

1. All property rights and interests in China belonging to German nationals at the date when the Treaty comes into force (not being property rights or interests acquired under any general licence issued by or on behalf of His Majesty) and the net proceeds of their sale, liquidation, or other dealings therewith, so far as such property rights and interests or such net proceeds are vested in or otherwise under the control of the Custodian of enemy property or other British authority under the Trading with the Enemy Acts or the Trading with the Enemy Regulations, are here- by charged:

(a)

First, with payment of the amounts due in respect of claims by British nationals with regard to their property rights and interests, including companies and associations in which they are interested in German territory, or debts owing to them by German nationals