40859-1915-Convention-between-the-British-and-French-Governments-relating-to-joint-captures-by-their-naval-forces — Page 1

58

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 5, 1915.

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

No. 48.

CIRCULAR.

DOWNING STREET,

21st November, 1914.

SIR, I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information, the accompanying copies of a Convention which has been entered into between the British and French Governments for determining the jurisdiction over joint captures which may be made during the present war by the naval forces of the French and British Governments, and for regulating the distribution of the proceeds of joint captures.

I have, &c.,

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

L. HARCOURT.

HIS Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, and the President of the French Republic, being desirous to determine the jurisdiction to which the adjudication of joint captures which may be made during the course of the present war by the naval forces of the allied countries shall belong, or of captures which may be made of merchant vessels belonging to nationals of one of the countries by the cruisers of the other; and being desirous to regulate at the same time the mode of distribution of the proceeds of joint captures have named as their Pleni- potentiaries for that purpose, that is to say:

His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India: The Right Honourable Sir Edward Grey, a Baronet of the United Kingdom, a Member of Parliament, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and

The President of the French Republic: His Excellency M. Paul Cambon, Ambas- sador of the French Republic at London;

Who, having reciprocally communicated their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles:

ARTICLE 1.

The adjudication of neutral or enemy prizes shall belong to the jurisdiction of the country of the capturing vessel, without distinguishing whether that vessel was placed under the orders of the naval autho- rities of one or other of the allied countries.

SA Majesté le Roi du Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande et des Territoires britanniques au delà des Mers, Empereur des Indes, et le Président de la République française, voulant déterminer la juridiction à laquelle devra appartenir le jugement des prises qui, dans le cours de la guerre actuelle, pourront être opérées par les forces navales des pays alliés, ou des prises qui pourront être faites sur des navires marchands appartenant aux nationaux de l'un des pays par les croiseurs de l'autre ; et voulant régler en même temps le mode de répartition des produits des prises effectuées en commun, ont nommé pour leurs Plénipotentiaires à cet effet, savoir:

Sa Majesté le Roi de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande et des Territoires britanniques au delà des Mers, Empereur des Indes: Le Très Honorable Sir Edward Grey, Baronnet du Royaume-Uni, Membre du Parlement, Principal Secrétaire d'Etat.de Sa Majesté au Département des Affaires Étrangères; et

Le Président de la République française Son Excellence M. Paul Cambon, Ambas- sadeur de France à Londres;

Lesquels, après s'être communiqué leurs pleins pouvoirs, trouvés en bonne et due forme, sont convenus des articles sui-

vants

ARTICLE 1er.

Le jugement des prises ennemies ou neutres appartiendra à la juridiction du pays du bâtiment capteur, sans qu'il y ait à distinguer selon que celui-ci était placé sous les ordres des autorités navales de l'un ou de l'autre des pays alliés.