The agreement by which the Pekin Syndicate renounced its concession in Shansi in consideration of monetary compensation was signed on January 21 at Peking by Judge Ting Pao-chuan on behalf of the Bureau of Trade of Shansi and the representative of the Syndicate. Its terms, which are now published, are as follows 1,—The Bureau of Trade of Shansi undertakes ta raise a fand for the redemption of the mi agreement of the Syndicate in Shansi, together with the iron works and means of transportation; also the suppleinensary agreement in regard to the same, and as the Pekin Syndicate is satisfied that the people of Shansi really desire to carry out the mining work themselves, they hereby agree that all their rights in Shansi in regard to cos! and iron and means of transportation shall be redeemed, the work being undertaken by Shansi people themselves.
2.—The amount of the redemption fund is arranged as Huspao Tls. 2,750,000; the Bureau of Trade being sible for its payment half in the remainder in instalments. of Shansi makes itself res-lo, is to compensate the Pekin Syndicate for the loss of various profits: and benefits in retiring. It will matter of no concern to the Shansi people if the Syndicate exploits other provinces.
—The half of the amount will be pale the 20th day of the first moon, Bath year of Kwang Ha, an the Stet instalment, and the remainder will be paid in three instalments during the 35th, 36th and 37th year of Kwang Lisa, payment in each case being made on the Ist day of the fourth moon.
5.—The money will be reckoned in without discount or Shansi officials being sponsible for the expenses of remittance to Peking and interest on the loan, which will be raised from the laud tax raven ie.
6.—The original agreement was made by the Bureau of Trade with th proval of the Governor of Sha id sanctioned by the Throne. Now wat funds have been raised to redeem and cancel that agreement, the Waiwupu shall be moved to instruct the Gi nor of Shansi to communicate with the Bureau of Trade stating that the redemption payments mast be faithfully made on the appointed dates. No arrears or evasion will be allowed. hereby restored to Chinese control, and 7.—As the mines of Sha
Shansi province has no intention what-over of contracting any foreiga loan, the Pekin Syndicate withdraw all agreements in regard to mining regulations in regard to coal, iron and transport; but if by any possible chance Shansi wished to contract. a Joan it shall notify the Syn if the Intter proposals are moderate shall proceed to farther negotiations. Otherwise arrangements with others shall be made, to which neither party shall object.
—Three months from the date of signing, the Peking Syndicate undertakes to hand over the compounds and buildings at Pingtingchow, together with all. machinery, to the Bureau of Trade. The five places mentioned in the original agreement at which are the properties of the Pekin Syndicate, will be entirely restored and the Syndicate waives all rights and claims in these places.
9.—The Pekin Syndicate will be responsible for all Josses consequent on their loss of occupation which are experienced by the engineers and other employees of the Syndicate.
10.—The money for the redemption ill in the first instance be borrowd by the Bureau of Trade, and the entire amount will be derived from the land tax, and the whole of the Shansi province acreage tax shall be devoted to this purpose; this tax being a public fand administered by the people for the benefit of the whole province and may of the mi-jorees of the province, which are tance of the people us a whole. But prior to the payment of the entire amount no alteration shall be made in the rate of the Innd tax or any exempt tion allowed. Should the land tax prove insufficient, the high officials of Shansi must meet the deficit from some other source.
—As the twenty articles of the original agreement were approved by the Tsungli in, the agreement now drawn up in settlement of this case all also be confirmed by the Waiwurecognized by the British tee the performance ye nationals, 12—Thia' agreement ie done. duplicate, in both Chinese and English, whereof each party holds one copy as evidence.
Signed on the 18th day, Twelfth Moon (January 21), 33rd' year of Kwang Lisa.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.