35

A.—s

they arc also " prepared to relinquish extra-territorial rights when satisfied that the state, of the Chinese, laws, the arrangements for their administration, and other considerations warrant " them in so doing ; being sympathetically disposed towards furthering in this regard the aspiration to which the Chinese Delegation gave expression on the 16th November, .1921, to the effect that ' ; immediately, or as soon as circumstances will permit, existing limitations upon China's political, jurisdictional, and administrative freedom of action are to be removed"; considering that any determination in regard to such action as might be appropriate to this end must depend upon the ascertainment and appreciation of complicated states of fact in regard to the laws and the, judicial system and the methods of judicial administration of China, which this Conference is not in a position to determine ; have resolved That the Governments of the Powers above, named shall establish a Commission (to which each of such Governments shall appoint one member) to inquire into the. present practice of extra-territorial jurisdiction in China, and into the laws and the judicial system and the methods of judicial administration of China, with a view to reporting to the, Governments of the several Powers above named their findings of fact in regard to these matters, and their recommendations as to such means as they may find suitable to improve the, existing conditions of the, administration of justice in China, and to assist and further the efforts of the Chinese Government to effect such legislation and judicial reforms as would warrant the several Powers in relinquishing, either progressively or otherwise, their respective rights of extra-territoriality ; That the Commission herein contemplated shall be Constituted within three months after the adjournment of the Conference, in accordance with detailed arrangements to be, hereafter agreed upon by the Governments of the Powers above named, and shall be instructed to submit its report and recommendations within one year after the first meeting of the Commission ; That each of the Powers above named shall be deemed free, to accept or to reject all or any portion of the recommendations of the. Commission herein contemplated, but that in no case shall any of the said Powers make its acceptance of all or any portion of such recommendations either directly or indirectly dependent on the granting by China of any special concession, favour, benefit, or immunity, whether political or economic. Additional Resolution. Tha.l the non-signatory Powers having by treaty extra-territorial rights in China may accede i i the Resolution affecting extra-territoriality and the administration ol justice in China by depositing, within thre.e months after tin; adjournment of the Conference, a, written notice of accession with the Government of the, United States, for communication by it to each of the signatory Powers. Additional Resolution. That China, having taken note of the Resolutions affecting the establishment of a Commission to investigate and report upon extra-territoriality and the administration of justice in China, expresses its satisfaction with the sympathetic disposition of the Powers hereinbefore named in regard to the aspiration of the Chinese Government to secure the abolition of extra-territoriality in China, and declares its intention to appoint a, representative who shall have the right to sit as a member of the said Commission, it being understood that China shall be deemed free to accept or to reject any or all of the recommendations of the Commission. Furthermore, China is prepared to co-operate in the work of this Commission, and to afford to it every possible facility for the successful Accomplishment of its tasks. V. Resolution to provide for the Abandonment of Foreign Postal Agencies in China. Adopted al the Fifth Plenary Session, Conference on, the Limitation of Armament, Washington, Ist, February, 1922. A. Recognizing the justice of the desire expressed by the Chinese Government to secure the abolition of foreign postal agencies in China, save or except in leased territories or as otherwise specifically provided by treaty, it is resolved — (1.) The four Powers having such postal agencies agree to their abandonment, subject to the following conditions : — (a.) That an efficient Chinese postal service is maintained : (/>.) That an assurance is given by the Chinese Government that they contemplate no change in the present postal administration so far as the status of the. foreign Co-Director-General is concerned. (2.) To enable China and the Powers concerned to make the necessary dispositions, this arrangement shall come into force and effect, not later than the Ist Januarv, 1923. B. Pending the complete withdrawal of foreign postal agencies, the four Powers concerned severally undertake to afford full facilities to the Chinese Customs authorities to examine in those, agencies all postal matter (excepting ordinary letters, whether registered or not, which upon external examination appear plainly to contain only written matter) passing through them, with a view to ascertaining whether they contain articles which are, dutiable or contraband, or which otherwise contravene the Customs regulations or laws of China.

5.