mentary article annexed to the provisional convention, signed in St. Petersburg on the 31st May/13th June, 1907,1 concerning the adjustment of the services of the Russian and Japanese (Japanese-Russian) railways in Manchuria, the direct transport of goods between the two countries by the Russian and Japanese (Japanese-Russian) railways and steamers, have agreed to the following: (1) Both Governments will permit the interested railways and shipping companies to make arrangement as to direct transport of goods. These arrangements must be submitted for confirmation to both Governments before they are put into practice. (2) Both Governments undertake in case of necessity to take all legislative measures required for the putting into force of the said arrangements. In witness whereof the undersigned, duly empowered by their Governments, have signed the present convention and affixed their seals thereto. Made at St. Petersburg on the 1/14th August, 1911, which corresponds to the 14th day of the 8th month of the 44th year of Mejji. MOTONO. [SEAL.] (Signed) RIGHT OF FOREIGNERS TO OWN LAND IN TIENTSIN OUTSIDE BOUNDS OF FOREIGN CONCESSIONS. File No. 893.5211/3. The American Chargé d'Affaires to the Secretary of State. No. 346.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, October 10, 1911. SIR: I have the honor to inclose [etc.] * * *. The legation would be pleased to learn the views of the Department on the subject discussed in the inclosure herein. I have, etc., [Inclosure.] E. T. WILLIAMS. The American Chargé d'Affaires to the American Consul General. No. 731 (Cons.).] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, October 7, 1911. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 162, of October 5, 1911, asking instructions in regard to the rights of foreigners in general and of Americans in particular to own land in Tientsin outside the bounds of the foreign concessions. In reply I have to say that in the opinion of the legation, subject to the approval of the Department, to whom the correspondence will be referred, a foreigner can legally lease land in the immediate vicinity of Tientsin and other open ports, even though such land may be located outside the limits of the foreign settlements, provided, however, that the Chinese local authorities permit the leasing of such lands to foreigners and register the deeds. The provisions of Article III of the treaty of 1903 between the United States and China appear to be somewhat less liberal in this regard than those of Article XII of our treaty of 1858 and those of some other treaties-particularly the British-which do not specifically restrict the leasing of land by British subjects to places set apart for the use and occupation of foreigners. But while Article III of the American-Chinese treaty of 1903 affirms the right of American citizens to rent or purchase houses and to lease land in the suitable localities set apart for the use and occupation of foreigners, it does not deny their enjoyment of the privileges accorded to foreigners of other nationalities, but, on the contrary, expressly states that "they shall generally enjoy as to their persons and property all such rights, privileges, and immunities as are 1 See Foreign Relations, 1907, p. 782. or may berefer be crated to the subjects or comzens of the nation the mos favored in these respects.” The jeanic aüerstands it to be the generi, practive at Detach to permit the leasing of hand a firervers outside the bound of the fore en cRMER and where this patriere is mated to foreigners of other nationa ines it ough not to be withheld from Americans. The principle set fieth in the earlier treaties was that the lot! consular and Chinese autbreites sidd aree as to the location of houses to be rected and the sites of lands to be leased, and this peitelple should rule still... If the Chinese authorities permit the leasing of land outside the bound of the concessions. The consuls ought but to Interpose objections, but should register the devils On the other hand, it should be clearly understood that if the local Chinese author ities object generally to such leases there is no right under the treaty to insist upon them. I am, etc, ET. WILLIAMS. No. 192.] The Secretary of State to the American Minister. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 17, 1911. SIR: The Department is in receipt of the legation's dispatch No. 346, of October 10 last, inclosing a copy of a dispatch dated October 7, 1911 [etc.]. Where the acquisition of land by foreigners outside of the several treaty ports is a matter of permission and usage, fortified by long observance and generally claimed for and conceded to the citizens or subjects of other nations, this Government would also be disposed to hold that deeds for such land presented by American citizens might properly be registered at the respective consulates. You may advise the consul general at Tientsin to this effect. I am, etc., P. C. KNOX. NOTE.-In this connection see Japan, Land Laws of Korea. VISIT OF THE CHINESE CRUISER "HAI CHI." FIRST.CHINESE WAR VESSEL TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES. The Chinese cruiser Hai Chi, which recently attended the coronation celebration in England, will, by imperial sanction, visit New York, Cuba, and certain eastern ports of Mexico, and is expected to arrive in New York Sunday next. The Hai Chi is under the command of Rear Admiral Ching Pih Kwang, and besides the regular number of naval seamen has on board 42 officers. Among the officers of the Chinese Navy in active service, Rear Admiral Ching Pih Kwang ranks second only to Admiral Sah Chenping, who visited the United States last year with Prince Tsai Hsun. Admiral Ching is a native of the Province of Kwang-tung. He received his education in the Naval School at Foochow, and afterwards completed his studies in England. He served with credit. through the war with Japan and took part in many engagements. For three years he was in command of the cruiser Hai Yung and made an extended cruise to the South Sea Islands. He was ordered to Peking about 1908 to assist in the reorganization of the Chinese Navy. Last June he proceeded to England in command of the cruiser Hai Chi to take part in the coronation ceremonies of King George V. Admiral Ching is an accomplished scholar, and speaks many languages fluently, including English. The visit of the Hai Chi to the United States is the first appearance of a Chinese war vessel in American waters, and although Rear Admiral Ching is not coming as the Nation's guest, this Government will do all it can to make his stay in America a pleasant one. File No. 893.3311/1. The Chinese Minister to the Secretary of State. IMPERIAL CHINESE LEGATION, SIR: I am instructed by my Government to inform you that the Chinese cruiser Hai Chi, which is now in England, has been ordered to make a visit to the United States after taking part in the ceremonies connected with the coronation of King George V. This is the first instance of a Chinese public vessel visiting the American shores. I have the honor to inquire if there are special rules and formalities to be observed on such an occasion. Accept, etc., File No. 893.3311/4. CHANG YIN TANG. IMPERIAL CHINESE LEGATION, SIR: Referring to the legation's note of the 19th of June last, I have the honor to inform you that the Chinese cruiser Hai Chi, under the command of Rear Admiral Ching Pih Kwang, is expected to leave British waters on the 31st instant, and to arrive at New York on or about the 10th of September next. I shall be greatly obliged if you will be so kind as to communicate the information to the Navy Department. Accept, etc., YUNG KWAI, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. File No. 893.3311/4. The Acting Secretary of State to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 2, 1911. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 29th ultimo, advising me that the Chinese cruiser Hai Chi, under the command of Rear Admiral Ching Pih Kwang, is expected to arrive at New York on or about the 10th instant, and requesting that this information be communicated to the Navy Department. I have the honor to advise you in reply that, with a view to the extension of the usual courtesies to the vessel, the Department has taken pleasure in communicating the information to the Governor of New York and to the Secretaries of the Treasury, War, and Navy 85 Departments. The Department has also requested the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to cause such steps to be taken as will permit the officers and sailors of the vessel to go on shore during the visit of the vessel. Accept, etc., File No. 893.3311/15. HUNTINGTON WILSON. The Acting Secretary of State to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT of State, The President desires to see Admiral Ching at 2.30 Thursday afternoon instead of 5. Will you kindly so arrange the admiral's program? HUNTINGTON WILSON. File No. 893.3311/19. Rear Admiral Ching to the Secretary of State. H. I. C. M. S. “HAI CHI," SIR: I have the honor to inform you that cruiser Hai Chi will sail from New York to Habana to-morrow morning, the 25th instant. During our stay in New York we have thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality, and I feel very grateful for the courtesy you have extended to me. Commander G. F. Cooper, United States Navy, who is kindly sent to assist me by the Navy Department, has rendered me valuable service. His capabilities in managing affairs and his ever readiness to attend to all I wanted have helped make my sojourn in your country very pleasant indeed. I beg hereby to thank you most heartily for all your courtesies, and hope that you will excuse my not coming personally to say farewell to you. I have, etc., P. K. CHING, I. C. N., File No. 893.3311/19. The Acting Secretary of State to Rear Admiral Ching. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Washington, September 28, 1911. the 24th instant, in which you advised the department that the Imperial Chinese cruiser Hai Chi was to sail for Habana on following day. the It is with great satisfaction that I receive the expression of your appreciation of the hospitality and courtesy extended to you by the United States Government and its officers, and I have taken pleasure in forwarding a copy of your letter to the Secretary of the Navy. I desire to assure you that it has afforded equal satisfaction to this Government and its officers to have had the opportunity afforded by the visit of the Hai Chi under the command of so distinguished an officer of the Imperial Chinese Navy to testify the cordial regard ever entertained by the Government of the United States for the ancient Empire of China. Regretting that your inability to make at Washington a personal call of farewell deprived me of the pleasure of again meeting you, I have, etc., HUNTINGTON WILSON. File No. 893.3311/23. The American Chargé d'Affaires at Peking to the Secretary of State. No. 342.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, September 29, 1911. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy in translation of a note received from the Prince of Ch'ing conveying the thanks of the Chinese Government for the reception accorded the Chinese cruiser Hai Ch'i on the 10th instant. I have, etc., [Inclosure.] E. T. WILLIAMS. F. O. 139.] The Prince of Ch'ing to the American Chargé d'Affaires. FOREIGN OFFICE, Peking, September 28, 1911. EXCELLENCY: I am in receipt of a note from the admiralty board stating that Commander Ch'eng has telegraphed that the Chinese cruiser Hai Ch'i sailed from England for America on the 31st of August and arrived at New York on the 10th of September. The cruiser was most cordially received by the American authorities, to the high appreciation of the Chinese officers. The admiralty asks that a note may be sent to the American minister to express its thanks. The reception given to the Hai Ch'i on this occasion is another proof of the friendly relations existing between the two nations, and I write to express the sincere thanks of my Government, which I ask your excellency to convey to the American Government. SEAL OF THE WAI-WU Pu. HUKUANG RAILWAY, CURRENCY REFORM, AND REORGANIZATION LOANS. NOTE. For all these negotiations see the next volume: For. Rel. 1912; the Hukuang loan will be continued from For. Rel. 1910, p. 291. |