THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JANUARY 24, 1919. 49
In consideration of its efforts to achieve independence, Great Britain regards the Czecho-Slovaks as an Allied nation, and recognises the unity of the three Czecho-Slovak armies as an Allied and belligerent army waging regular warfare against Austria- Hungary and Germany.
Great Britain also recognises the right of the Czecho-Slovak National Council as the supreme organ of the Czecho-Slovak national interests, and as the present trustee of the future Czecho-Slovak Government, to exercise supreme authority over this Allied and belligerent army.
[Enclosure 2 in Circular despatch of 21st November, 1918.]
AGREEMENT BETWEEN HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT AND CZECHO-SLOVAK NATIONAL COUNCIL.
In furtherance of the declaration issued by His Majesty's Government on August 9th, 1918, recognising the Czecho-Slovaks as an Allied nation, and recognising the right of the Czecho-Slovak National Council, as the supreme organ of the Czecho-Slovak national interest, to exercise supreme authority over the Allied and belligerent Czecho- Slovak army, His Majesty's Government and the Czecho-Slovak National Council have determined to enter into the following agreement :-
1. His Majesty's Government will, until the organisation of the future Czecho-Slovak Government, maintain relations with the Czecho-Slovak National Council and will deal with it direct on all questions within the competence of such Council.
2. His Majesty's Government agree to the Czecho-Slovak armies being placed under the general control of the Czecho-Slovak National Council in all matters other than those which fall within the sphere of the Allied Commanders-in-Chief under whose command the units of the Czecho-Slovak armies may be placed.
3. The Czecho-Slovak National Council will frame a budget for the maintenance of its Administration and of its Armies, but due regard shall be paid therein to any arrange- ments made for the advance of funds to Czecho-Slovak forces under existing agreements between the British and Allied Governments.
4. In the event of a loan being advanced to the Czecho-Slovak National Council on behalf of the future Czecho-Slovak Government, His Majesty's Government agree to participate therein on terms of equality with their Allies.
5. The Czecho-Slovak National Council will on behalf of the future Czecho-Slovak Government forthwith institute a Financial Commision and will invite His Majesty's Government to appoint a member thereof. The Czecho-Slovak Budget will be placed under the control of this Commission.
6. His Majesty's Government will recognise the right of the Czecho-Slovak National Council to be represented at any Allied conference when questions affecting the interests of the Czecho-Slovaks are under discussion.
7. His Majesty's Government will recognise the passports issued by the Czecho- Slovak National Council or by its duly authorised representatives.
8. The Czecho-Slovak National Council will appoint a representative in London through whom relations with His Majesty's Government will be maintained.
9. His Majesty's Government will recognise and will treat as alien friends and as members of an Allied nation all persons who may be certified to them as Czecho-Slovaks by the Czecho-Slovak representative in London or by his authorised agents or to whom passports may be issued by the Czecho-Slovak National Council or its authorised representatives.
10. His Majesty's Government will treat official communications passing between the Czecho-Slovak National Council and its representative in London upon the same footing as communications passing between a friendly Government and its representative in London.
In faith whereof, the undersigned, duly authorised hereto by His Majesty's Govern- ment and the Czecho-Slovak National Council respectively, have signed the present agreement.
Done in duplicate at London, the 3rd day of September, 1918.
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