Translation, China and Japan have long been friendly; but now desire to improve their relations and to render them more permanent. There have therefore been appointed the part of China as Plenipotentiary, His Excellency Earl Li Hung-chang, Commi sioner for Commerce, Guardian of the H apparent, Chancellor of State, President of the Board of War and Viceroy of Chihl and on the part of Japan, Tsung Hig) Minister of State, in conjunction with E and Tah, each in'accordance with instruction from their respective Sovereigns, to confer together and deliberate on articles of agreement to be observed perpetually and without infringement, by each State and they have agreed as follows. ig Henceforward China and Japan shall drovy closertoeach other; and to render their friendship enduring, the behaviour of each towards the other shall be that of mutual respect, without depreciation on either side. thus lasting peace shall be main-amed.
China and Japan being friendly, either shall, in case of experiencing injustice or wrong from another State, be entitled to assistance or good offices from the other.
The laws of the two countries being different, neither shall seek to impose its own views on the other; but each shall afford mutual protection to merchants and people, and no violation of the law by residents in either country shall be allowed.
The Ambassadors of each country shall, with their families and suite, have access to Peking and Yeddo respectively, either for permanent residence or on a visit, Each ambassador shall bear his own expenses and shall be at liberty to rent houses or land for oficial purposes. Each shall have facility for the carriage of his effects, and for sending despatches, &c.
Although the officials of each country have grades of rank, these do not exactly correspond. It is agreed therefore that those who are about the same rank shall correspond on terms of equality. Those in subordinate positions shall give pre-cadence to those in higher rank, and shall accord to them the due ceremonies. Despatches shall be addressed, by either side, to an officer of corresponding rank with the writer, and not toa higher official. In case of interviews, the rank and name of the visitor must appear on his card. When a Japanese official first arriv in China, he shall at once address to the local authorities a communication bearing his seal, to guard against forgeries, and vice Correspondence between the two States shall be carried on henceforward, by China in the Chinese character, and by Japan the Japanese character with a copy in Chi nese, or in Chinese alone as the Japanese government may find convenient, Vil.
'ThetwoStates shall indicate to each other, respectively, the ports in each which are open to foreign trade; and to which subjects of either may yo for trade, subject to regulations which shall be' conformed to.
The two States may appoint Consuls at each of these open ports for the control of their respective subjects. All questions, of litigation, administration of property, &e., arising among their own nationals, shall be determined by the Consuls, act cording to their own laws. In questions where subjects of both countries are concerned, the complainant shall address a petition to the Consul of the accused, who shall first endeavour to bring about a settlement of the case; and, failing this, shall acquaint the Local Authorities, who will investigate it, arrest offenders, and recover debts; but who shall not be required to make good the losses of individuals.
If either State have no Consul at a Treaty Port, its subjects who may be resident there, shall be subject to the Local Authorities.' In case of offences being committed, the Local Authorities shall investigate them and arrest culprits, so far as their own subjects are concerned; or on the other hand submit the case to the nearest Consul for adjudication.
The subjects of either State residing at the open ports are to maintain friendly inter course. They are not to carry swords nor other weapons. Those offending in this respect shall be punished, and their! arms confiscated. Subjects of either State residing in the territory of the other must each mind his own business; and, whether his stay be long or short, he shall be subject to his Consul's control. He shall not change his costume, nor present himself at the competitive examinations, causing confusion.
XI
Subjects of either State flying from justice to the territory of the other shall be sought for by the local authorities, who shall give information, in case of capture, to the Fugitive's Consul, and arrange for his deportation. j Subjects of either country, residing at the treaty ports of the other, who are guilty of crime, or who'go into the interior with firearms and kill people, shall be arrested by the Local oficial, and handed over to their Consul witha statement of their offence. If they resist the officer sent to arrest them, they may be slain on the spot; but their Consul shall be informed of the circumstances and be given opportunity for investigation. If such cases occur in the interior beyond the Consul's cognisauce, a complete statement shall still be sent to him. Offenders arrested at an open port shall be tried by the Local official and the Consul acting conjointly. If an offender be arrested in the interior, the Local official shall try him, informing the Consul of the circumstance. If subjects of either State assemble riotously in the territory of the other, to the number of ten or upwards, and persuade or invite the natives to ce-operate with them, to the public injury, the Local Authorities shall forthwith apprehend them. In such a case the Consul shall be informed and shall cooperate. If it occur in the interior, the Local Authorities shall adjudicate on' the spot, informing the nearest Consul of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.