Mar. 16.
In connexion with the Taku Incident, H. E. Mr. W. J. Oudendijk, the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, forwarded the following communica tion to the Waichiaopu this aft "Jo pursuance of of my Note of March 10 last concerning the neces sity. of maintaining open communication to the ea through the Channel, T have the honour to hand Your Excellency herewith the text of a memorandum which wilt be transmitted to the com-Inanders of the two contending [Chinese forces at Taku, setting forth the measures to be taken to ensure free navigation in and out of, Tientsin, avail myself, ete."
The memorandum is as follows:
"On March 10, the Senior Minis ter on behalf of the Protocol Powers notified the Chinese Government of the necessity of removing obstacles to freedom of navigation in and out of Tientsin either by placing mines or gunfire, reserving their right to take action themselves to that end for the maintenance of the Protocol of 1901 in case the Chinese Government failed to accomplish this forth wi "Through the Consular authorities at Tientsin, Mukden and Tsinanfu similar notifications have' since been conveyed to the respective headquarters of the forces engaging in hostilities at the entrance to the harbour of Tientsi "Inasmuch as no" effect appears to have been given as yet demand of the Protocol Powers, the Ministers representing the countries, having naval forces at Tientain, have agreed that it is desirable that the naval commanders at four o'clock on March 16 should notify the military authorities commanding Taku Fort and the naval officer commanding the Tsingtao Flotilla to the following effect "In order to maintain generat treaty rights, international commerce and the particular right of free access from, the Capital the sea as provided in the Protocol of 1901, the Powers concerned. de-
"Firstly, that all hostilities in the Channel from Taku Bar to Tientsin must. be discontinued 'Secondly, that all' mines" and other obstructions must be removed; "Thirdly, that all navigation signals must be restored and not further molested; "Fourthly, that all combatant vos. sols must remain outside Taku Bar and refrain from interference with foreign shipping; and "Rifthly, that all searches of foreign vessels, except by the Gaxtoms, authorities, must be diss continued "If satisfactory assurances on these points have not been received noon on March 18, the naval authorities of the Foreign Powers will proceed to take such measures jas they may find necessary for the Purpose of removing or suppress sing any obstruction to free safe navigation of the Channel between Tientsin and the sea."—Reuter'y Pacific Service.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.