Refusal to Extend Old Document While Negotiating New Peking, Nov. 12, The Generalissimo issued an order to-night abrogating the Sino-Spanish Commercial Treaty of October 10, 1864, Te appears that following the expiration of the treaty on November 10 and failure to reach an agreement regarding a new treaty, the Spanish Minister endeavoured to secure an extension of the old treaty until negotiations regarding a new one were completed, but, it is understood, the Chinese Government: were not willing to agree and decided to declare the treaty null and void unless the Spanish agreed to their terms for a new. treaty by to-night, which, seemingly, the Spanish. have refused to do.
A memorandum issued by the Waichiaopu to-night points out that the treaty was ratified on May 10, 1867, and demand for revision could be made, according to the Chinese text, six' months before the end of each ten years, It was the view of the Chinese Government that the treaty should expire on May 10, but the Spanish Government took' the view that demand for revision ought to be made within six months after expiration of each ten years and that, hence, the treaty should not expire until November 10. "As proof of their earnest desire to come to an understanding with Spain, the Chinese Government agreed to ce sider the treaty valid until November 10.
The Chinese Government, the memorandum continues, could not agree to the Spanish suggestion to distinguish, for the purposes of the denunciation, between the tariff and commercial articles and those relating to other matters, holding that it was desirable to replace the entire treaty with a new agreement, 'The memorandum recalls that the first conference in connection with the negotiations for a' new treaty was held on August 8, and the Chinese draft of the new treaty was handed to the Spanish Minister on August 18. The Chinese Govern. ment hope that this task will consummated very shortly. In th me they have instructed local authorities to extend full protection to the Spanish Legation and Con-Sulates and persons and property in accordance with the rules of international law, Marshal Chang Tsoclin's order declaring that the treaty ceased to, be effective as from November 10 instructs the Foreign Office to conclude a new treaty as speedily ax possible on the basis of equality and mutual respect for territorial sovercignty—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.