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A.—2

(b.) The preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by ensuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire and the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations in China. (c.) The maintenance of the territorial rights of the high contracting parties in the regions of Eastern Asia and of India, and the defence of their special interests in the said regions. Article I. It is agreed that whenever, in the opinion of either Great Britain or Japan, any of the rights and interests referred to in the preamble of this agreement are in jeopardy, the two Governments will communicate with one another fully and frankly, and will consider in common the measures which should be taken to safeguard those menaced rights or interests. > Article 11. If by reason of unprovoked attack or aggressive action, wherever arising, on the part of any Power or Powers, either high contracting party should be involved in war in defence of its territorial rights or special interests mentioned in the preamble of this agreement, the other high contracting party will at once come to the assistance of its ally, and will conduct the war in common, and make peace in mutual agreement with it. Article 111. The high contracting parties agree that neither of them will, without consulting the other, enter into separate arrangements with another Power to the prejudice of the objects described in the preamble of this agreement. Article IV. Should either high contracting party conclude a treaty of general arbitration with a third Power, it is agreed that nothing in this agreement shall entail upon such contracting party an obligation to go to war with the Power with whom such treaty of arbitration is in force. Article V. The conditions under which armed assistance shall be afforded by either Power to the other in the circumstances mentioned in the present agreement, and the means by which such assistance is to be made available, will be arranged by the naval and military authorities of the high contracting parties, who w'll from time to time consult one another fully and freely upon all-questions of mutual interest. Article VI. The present agreement shall come into effect immediately after the date of its signature, and remain in force for ten years from that date. In case neither of the high contracting parties should have notified twelve months before the expiration of the said ten years the intention of terminating it, it shall remain binding until the expiration of one year from the day on which either of the high contracting parties shall have denounced it. But if, when the date fixed for its expiration arrives, either ally is actually engaged in war, the alliance shall, ipso facto, continue until peace is concluded. In faith whereof the undersigned, duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this agreement, and have affixed thereto their seals. Done in duplicate, at London, the 13th day of July, 1911. E. Grey, His Britannic Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Takaaki Kato, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at the Court of St. James.

No. 66. New Zealand, No. 252. My Lord, — Downing Street, 26th July, 1911. I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, a copy of an Order of His Majesty in Council of the sth instant, making new provision for regulating appeals from the Supreme Court of the Piovince of Nova Scotia to His Majesty in Council, and revoking the Order in Council of the 20th March, 1863. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. B—A. 2.