A.—2,

40

His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India : the Right Hon. Sir Edward Grey, a Baronet of the United Kingdom, a member of Parliament, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ; And His Majesty the Emperor of Japan : His Excellency Monsieur Takaaki Kato, Jusammi, First Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, His Imperial Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Court of St. James, — Who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found to he in good and due form, have agreed upon the following articles : — Article 1. The subjects of each of the high contracting parties shall have full liberty to enter, travel, and reside in the territories of the other, and, conforming themselves to the laws of the country,— 1. Shall, in all that relates to travel and residence, be placed in all respects on the same footing as native subjects. 2. They shall have the right, equally with native subjects, to carry on their commerce and manufacture, and to trade in all kinds of merchandise of lawful commerce, either in person or by agents, singly or in partnerships with foreigners or native subjects.* 3. They shall in all that relates to the pursuit of their industries, callings, professions, and educational studies be placed in all respects on the same footing as the subjects or citizens of the most favoured nation. 4. They shall be permitted to own or hire and occupy houses, manufactories, warehouses, shops, and premises which may be necessary for them, and to lease land for residential, commercial, industrial, and other lawful purposes, in the same manner as native subjects. 5. They shall, on condition of reciprocity, be at full liberty to acquire and possess every description of property, movable or immovable, which the laws of the country permit or shall permit the subjects or citizens of any other foreign country to acquire and possess, subject always to the conditions and limitations prescribed in such laws. They may dispose of the same by sale, exchange, gift, marriage, testament, or in any other manner, under the same conditions which are or shall be established with regard to native subjects. They shall also be permitted, on compliance with the laws of the country, freely to export the proceeds of the sale of their property and their goods in general without being subjected as foreigners to other or higher duties than those to which subjects of the country would be liable under similar circumstances. 6. They shall enjoy constant and complete protection and security for their persons and property ; shall have free and easy access to the Courts of justice and other tribunals in pursuit and defence of their claims and rights ; and shall have full liberty, equally with native subjects, to choose and employ lawyers and advocates to represent them before such Courts and tribunals ; and generally shall have the same rights and privileges as native subjects in all that concerns the administration of justice. 7. They shall not be compelled to pay taxes, fees, charges, or contributions of any kind whatever, other or higher than those which are or may be paid by native subjects or the subjects or citizens of the most favoured nation. 8. And they shall enjoy a perfect equality of treatment with native subjects in all that relates to facilities for warehousing under bond, bounties, and drawbacks. Article 2. The subjects of each of the high contracting parties in the territories of the other shall be exempted from all compulsory military services, whether in the army, navy, national guard, or militia; from all contributions imposed in lieu of personal service ; and from all forced loans and military requisitions or contributions unless imposed on them equally with native subjects as owners, lessees, or occupiers of immovable property. In the above respects the subjects of each of the high contracting parties shall not be accorded in the territories of the other less favourable treatment than that which is or may be accorded to subjects or citizens of the most favoured nation. Article 3. The dwellings, warehouses, manufactories, and shops of the subjects of each of the high contracting parties in the territories of the other, and all premises appertaining thereto used for lawful purposes, shall be respected. It shall not be allowable to proceed to make a domiciliary visit to, or a search of, any such buildings and premises, or to examine or inspect books, papers, or accounts, except uihW the conditions and with the forms prescribed by the laws for native subjects. Article 4. Each of the high contracting parties may appoint Consuls-General, Consuls, Vice-Consuls, and consular agents in all the ports, cities, and places of the other, except in those where it may not be convenient to recognize such officers. This exception, however, shall not be made in regard to one of the high contracting parties without being made likewise in regard to all other Powers. Such Consuls-General, Consuls. Vice-Consuls, and consular agents, having received exequaturs or other sufficient authorizations from the Government of the country to which they are appointed, hall have the right to exercise their functions, and to enjoy the privileges, exemptions, and immunities which are or may be granted to the consular officers of the most favoured nation. The Government issuing exequaturs or other authorizations has the right in its discretion to cancel the same on explaining the reasons for which it thought proper to do so.