EXCHANGE OF NOTES between Great Britain and Belgium, extending to Newfoundland the Provisional Modus Vivendi* pending the conclusion of a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the two Countries. Signed at Brussels, December 6, 1898.

No. 1.-Sir F. Plunkett to M. de Favereau.

THE Undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Brussels, duly authorized thereto by Her Britannic Majesty's Government, has the honour to inform his Excellency M. de Favereau, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, that the Government of Newfoundland, being anxious to be included in the modus vivendi established between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Kingdom of Belgium by the notes exchanged between M. de Favereau and the Undersigned on the 27th July, 1898, undertakes to adhere to the conditions therein specified as soon as the Government of Belgium gives a corresponding engagement on its part.

The Undersigned avails, &c.,

F. R. PLUNKETT.

British Legation, Brussels, December 6, 1898.

No. 2.-M. de Favereau to Sir F. Plunkett.

LE Soussigné, Ministre des Affaires Étrangères du Royaume de Belgique, a l'honneur de porter à la connaissance de son Excellence Sir Francis Plunkett, Envoyé Extraordinaire et Ministre Plénipotentiaire du Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande, comme suite à sa notification de ce jour, que, en attendant la signature d'un Traité définitif, le Gouvernement du Roi s'engage, sous condition de réciprocité, à étendre aux sujets et aux produits de Terre-Neuve le modus vivendi établi le 27 Juillet, 1898, entre la Belgique et le Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande, sous les conditions et réserves stipulées dans le dit Arrangement.

Le Soussigné saisit, &c.

Bruxelles, le 6 Décembre, 1898.

P. DE FAVEREAU

* Page 10.

CONVENTION between Great Britain and China, respecting Wei-hai Wei.-Signed at Peking, July 1, 1898.

[Ratifications exchanged at London, October 5, 1898.]

In order to provide Great Britain with a suitable naval harbour in North China, and for the better protection of British commerce in the neighbouring seas, the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of China agree to lease to the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland Wei-hai Wei, in the Province of Shantung, and the adjacent waters, for so long a period as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia.

The territory leased shall comprise the Island of Liu Kung and all the islands in the Bay of Wei-hai Wei, and a belt of land 10 English miles wide along the entire coast-line of the Bay of Weihai Wei. Within the above-mentioned territory leased, Great Britain shall have sole jurisdiction.

Great Britain shall have, in addition, the right to erect fortifications, station troops, or take any other measures necessary for defensive purposes at any points on or near the coast of the region east of the meridian 121° 40′ east of Greenwich, and to acquire, on equitable compensation, within that territory such sites as may be necessary for water supply, communications, and hospitals. Within that zone Chinese administration will not be interfered with, but no troops other than Chinese or British shall be allowed therein.

It is also agreed that within the walled city of Wei-hai Wei Chinese officials shall continue to exercise jurisdiction, except so far as may be inconsistent with naval and military requirements for the defence of the territory leased.

It is further agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise, shall retain the right to use the waters herein leased to Great Britain.

It is further understood that there will be no expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the territory herein specified, and that if land is required for fortifications, public offices, or any official or public purpose, it shall be bought at a fair price.

This Convention shall come into force on signature. It shall be ratified by the Sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible.

In witness whereof the Undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present Agree

ment

Done at Peking, in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four in Chinese), the 1st day of July, in the year of our Lord 1898, being the 13th day of the 5th moon of the 24th year of Kuang Hsü. (L.S.) CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.

(L.S.) (Seal of the Chinese Plenipotentiary.)

CONVENTION between Great Britain and China, respecting an Extension of Hong Kong Territory.—Signed at Peking, June 9, 1898.

[Ratifications exchanged at London, August 6, 1898.]

WHEREAS it has for many years past been recognized that an extension of Hong Kong territory is necessary for the proper defence and protection of the Colony, it has now been agreed between the Governments of Great Britain and China that the limits of British territory shall be enlarged under lease to the extent indicated generally on the annexed map. The exact boundaries shall be hereafter fixed when proper surveys have been made by officials appointed by the two Governments. The term of this lease shall be ninety-nine years.

It is at the same time agreed that within the city of Kowloon the Chinese officials now stationed there shall continue to exercise jurisdiction, except so far as may be inconsistent with the military requirements for the defence of Hong Kong. Within the remainder of the newly-leased territory Great Britain shall have sole jurisdiction. Chinese officials and people shall be allowed as heretofore to use the road from Kowloon to Hsinan.

It is further agreed that the existing landing-place near Kowloon city shall be reserved for the convenience of Chinese men-of-war, merchant and passenger vessels which may come and go and lie there at their pleasure; and for the convenience of movement of the officials and people within the city.

When hereafter China constructs a railway to the boundary of the Kowloon territory under British control, arrangements shall be discussed.

It is further understood that there shall be no expropriation or expulsion of the inhabitants of the district included within the extension, and that if land is required for public offices, fortifications, or the like official purposes, it shall be bought at a fair price.

If cases of extradition of criminals occur, they shall be dealt with in accordance with the existing Treaties between Great Britain and China and the Hong Kong Regulations.

The area leased to Great Britain, as shown on the annexed map, includes the waters of Mirs Bay and Deep Bay; but it is agreed that Chinese vessels of war, whether neutral or otherwise, shall retain the right to use those waters.

This Convention shall come into force on the 1st day of July, 1898, being the 13th day of the 5th moon of the 24th year of Kuang Hsü. It shall be ratified by the Sovereigns of the two countries, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in London as soon as possible.

In witness whereof the Undersigned, duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present Agree

ment.

Done at Peking, in quadruplicate (four copies in English and four in Chinese), the 9th day of June, in the year of our Lord 1898, being the 21st day of the 4th moon of the 24th year of Kuang Hsü. (L.S.) CLAUDE M. MACDONALD.

(L.S.) (Seal of the Chinese Plenipotentiary.)

CONVENTION between Great Britain and the Republic of Costa Rica, for the Reciprocal Protection of Trade-marks, &c. -Signed at Guatemala, March 5, 198.*

[Ratifications exchanged at London, September 29, 1900.]

HER Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, and his Excellency Señor Don Rafael Iglesias, President of the Republic of Costa Rica, desiring to conclude a Convention for the reciprocal protection of trade-marks and designs, have appointed as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say:

Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, George Francis Birt Jenner, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty's Minister-Resident in Central America, &c. ; and

His Excellency Señor Don Rafael Iglesias, President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Honourable Señor Don Ricardo Villafranca y Bonilla, Consul-General of the Republic of Costa Rica at Guatemala;

* Signed also in the Spanish language.