through Loiaipong and Loipanglom until it reaches the Salween River, in about passes through the small portion of Chinese territory south of Namwan, shall, while remaining entirely open to Chinese subjects and to the tribesmen subject to China, be free and open to Great Britain for travellers, commerce, and administrative purposes, without any restrictions whatever. Her Britannic Majesty's Government shall have the right, after communication with the Chinese authorities, to execute any works which may be desirable for the improvement or repair of the road, and to take any measures which may be required for the protection of the traffic and the prevention of smuggling.

It is equally agreed that British troops shall be allowed to pass freely along this road. But no body of troops more than 200 in number shall be despatched across it without the consent of the Chinese authorities, and previous notice in writing shall be given of every armed party of more than twenty men.

III. Delimitation of frontier, third section.-The third section of the frontier will run as follows:

It will commence from a point on the Shweli River, near to the east end of the loop formed by that river opposite to Meung Mao; thence paying due regard to the natural features and the local conditions of the country, it will trend in a south-easterly direction towards Ma-li-pa until it reaches, at a point in about longitude 98° 7′ east of Greenwich (18° 23' west of Peking), and latitude 23° 52', a conspicuous mountain range. It will follow the crests of that range latitude 23° 41′.

This portion of the frontier from the Shweli to the Salween River shall be settled by the Boundary Commission provided for in Article VI of the present Convention, and in such manner as to give to China at least as much territory as would be included if the frontier were drawn in a straight line from Meung Mao towards Ma-li-pa.

If it should be found that the most suitable frontier will give to China a larger amount of territory than is stated above, the compensation to be given to Great Britain on some other part of the frontier shall be matter for subsequent arrangement.

From latitude 23° 41′ the frontier will follow the Salween until it reaches the northern boundary of the circle of Kunlong. It will follow that boundary in an easterly direction, leaving the whole circle of Kunlong, and the ferry of that name to Great Britain, and leaving to China the State of Kokang.

It will then follow the course of the river forming the boundary between Somu, which belongs to Great Britain, and Mêng Ting, which belongs to China. It will still continue to follow the frontier between those two districts, which is locally well known, to where it leaves the aforesaid river and ascends the hills; and will then follow the line of water-parting between the tributaries of the Salween and the Meikong Rivers, from about longitude 99° east of Greenwich (17° 30′ west of Peking), and latitude 23° 20', to a point about longitude 99° 40′ east of Greenwich (16° 50' west of Peking), and latitude 23°, leaving to China the Tsawbwaships of Kêng Ma, Mengtung, and Mengko.

At the last-named point of longitude and latitude the line strikes a very lofty mountain range, called Kong-Ming-Shan, which it will follow in a southerly

direction to about longitude 99° 30′ east of Greenwich (17° west of Peking), and latitude 22° 30′, leaving to China the district of Chen-pien T'ing. Then, descending the western slope of the hills to the Namka River, it will follow the course of that river for about 10' of latitude, leaving Munglem to China, and Manglün to Great Britain.

It will then follow the boundary between Munglem and Kyaing Tong, which is locally well-known, diverging from the Namka River a little to the north of latitude 22°, in a direction somewhat south of east, and generally following the crest of the hills till it strikes the Namlam River in about latitude 21° 45', and longitude 100° east of Greenwich (16° 30′ west of Peking).

It will then follow the boundary between Kyaing Tong and Kiang Hung which is generally formed by the Namlam River, with the exception of a small strip of territory belonging to Kiang Hung, which lies to the west of that river just south of the last named parallel of latitude. On reaching the boundary of Kyaing Chaing, in about latitude 21° 27', and longitude 100° 12' east of Greenwich (16° 18′ west of Peking), it will follow the boundary between that district and Kiang Hung until it reaches the Meikong River.

IV. Portion of frontier to be settled ulteriorly. It is agreed that the settlement and delimitation of that portion of the frontier which lies to the north of latitude 25° 35' north shall be reserved for a future understanding between the High Contracting Parties, when the features and conditions of the country are more accurately known.

V. Territorial concessions to China.-In addition to the territorial concessions in Northern Theinni, and the cession to China of the State of Kokang, which result from the frontier as above described, Her Britannic Majesty, in consideration of the abandonment of the claims advanced by China to the territory lying outside and abutting on the frontier of the Prefecture of Yung Chang and Sub-Prefecture of Teng Yüeh, agrees to renounce.in favour of His Majesty the Emperor of China, and of his heirs and successors for ever, all the suzerain rights in and over the States of Munglem and Kiang Hung‡ formerly possessed by the Kings of Ava concurrently with the Emperors of China. These and all other rights in the said States, with the titles, prerogatives and privileges thereto pertaining, Her Majesty the Queen Empress renounces as aforesaid, with the sole proviso that His Majesty the Emperor of China shall not, without previously coming to an agreement with Her Britannic Majesty, cede either Munglem or Kiang Hung, or any portion thereof, to any other nation.§

Hertslet (p. 103), citing Parliamentary Paper, Siam, No. 1 (1893), makes the following note:-" On the 1st December, 1893, the French Government were officially informed by the British Government that no Treaty had then been signed between Great Britain and China, on the subject of the State of Kiang Hung, and that England had no intention of seeking to obtain any monopoly, either for railways, steam-boat companies, or any other mode of transit or communication, to the detriment of French commercial enterprises of the same kind; and that it was understood that, in that respect, the field would be left open to French and English enterprise. In return the French Government stated that the delimitation of the French possessions on the side of Kiang Hung had not then been made, but that, in the negotiations on the subject which the French Government would have to carry on with the Chinese Government, they intended to be guided by the same principles as were laid down by the British Government in their communication of the 1st December, 1893."

§ Hertslet, citing Hansard's Debates, vol. 47 (1897), p. 296, notes that "Under the Burmah Frontier Convention, as revised (No. 1897/1, post), certain territorial compensa

VI.-Demarcation of frontier.-It is agreed that, in order to avoid any local contention, the alignments of the frontier described in the present Convention, and shown on the maps annexed thereto, shall be verified and demarcated, and, in case of its being found defective at any point, rectified by a Joint Commission appointed by the High Contracting Parties; and that the said Commission shall meet, at a place hereafter to be determined on by the two Governments, not later than twelve months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present Convention; and shall terminate its labours in not more than three years from the date of its first meeting.

It is understood that any alterations in the alignment which the Joint Commission may find it necessary to make shall be based on the principle of equivalent compensations, having regard not only to the extent, but also to the value, of the territory involved. Further, that should the members of the Commission be unable to agree on any point, the matter of disagreement shall at once be referred to their respective Governments.

The Commission shall also endeavour to ascertain the situation of the former frontier-post of China named Kanlung Kwan. If this place can be identified, and is found to be situated in British Territory, the British Government will consider whether it can, without inconvenience, be ceded to China.

If it shall be found to the south-east of Meung Mao so as to be on the northern side of the straight line drawn from that place towards Ma-li-pa, it will in that case already belong to China.

VII. Occupation following demarcation.—It is agreed that any posts belonging to either country which may be stationed within the territory of the other when the Commission of Delimitation shall have brought its labours to a conclusion shall, within eight months from the date of such conclusion, be withdrawn, and their places occupied by the troops of the other, mutual notice having in the meantime been given of the precise date at which the withdrawal and occupation will take place. From the date of such occupation the High Contracting Parties shall each within its own territories hold itself responsible for the maintenance of good order, and for the tranquillity of the tribes inhabiting them.

Unfortified strip.-The High Contracting Parties further engage neither to construct nor to maintain within 10 English miles from the nearest point of the common frontier, measured in a straight line and horizontal projection, any fortifications or permanent camps, beyond such posts as are necessary for preserving peace and good order in the frontier districts.

VIII. Free trade between China and Burmah.-Subject to the conditions mentioned hereafter in Articles X and XI, the British Government, wishing to encourage and develop the land trade of China with Burmah as much as possible, consent, for a period of six years from the ratification of the present Convention, to allow Chinese produce and manufactures, with the exception of salt, to enter Burmah by land duty free, and to allow British manufactures and tions were made to Great Britain for the violation by the Chinese Government of that portion of the original Convention that related to Kiang Hung," the Chinese Government having by the Delimitation Convention with France, signed June 20, 1895 (No. 1895/4, post), alienated a part of the territory of Kiang Hung.

Burmese produce, with the exception of rice, to be exported to China by land free of duty.

Salt and rice subject to duties.-The duties on salt and rice so imported and exported shall not be higher than those imposed on their import or export by sea.

IX.-Trade route.-Pending the negotiation of a more complete arrangement, and until the development of the trade shall justify the establishment of other frontier Customs stations, goods imported from Burmah into China or exported from China into Burmah shall be permitted to cross the frontier by Manwyne and by Sansi.

Reduced tariff.- With a view to the development of trade between China and Burmah, the Chinese Government consent that for six years from the ratification of the present Convention the duties levied on goods imported into China by these routes shall be those specified in the General Tariff of the Maritime Customs diminished by three-tenths, and that the duties on goods exported from China by the same route shall be those specified in the same Tariff diminished by four-tenths.

Transit passes.-Transit passes for imports and exports shall be granted in accordance with the rules in force at the Treaty ports.

Smuggling. Smuggling or the carrying of merchandize through Chinese territory by other routes than those sanctioned by the present Convention, shall, if the Chinese authorities think fit, be punished by the confiscation of the merchandize concerned.

X.-Trade in munitions of war.-The following articles, being munitions of war, shall neither be exported from Burmah into China, nor imported from China into Burmah, save at the requisition of the Government desiring their importation; neither shall they be sold to parties other than those who have been duly authorized by their respective Governments to purchase them:

Cannon, shot and shell, cartridges and ammunition of all kinds, firearms and weapons of war of every description. Saltpetre, sulphur, brimstone, gunpowder, dynamite, gun-cotton, or other explosives.

XI. Forbidden trade.-The exportation from Burmah into China of salt is prohibited. The exportation from China into Burmah of cash, rice, pulse and grains of every kind is prohibited.

The importation and exportation across the frontier of opium and spirituous. liquors is prohibited, excepting in small quantities for the personal use of travellers. The amount to be permitted will be settled under Customs regulations.

Infractions of the conditions set forth in this and the preceding Article will be punishable by confiscation of all the goods concerned.

XII. Encouragement of mining.-The British Government, wishing to promote frontier trade between the two countries by encouraging mining enterprise in Yünnan and in the new territorial acquisitions of China referred to in the present Convention, consent to allow Chinese vessels carrying merchandize, ores, and minerals of all kinds, and coming from or destined for China, freely to navigate the Irrawaddy on the same conditions as to dues and other matters as British vessels.

XIII. Consular officers. It is agreed that His Majesty the Emperor of

China may appoint a Consul in Burmah, to reside at Rangoon; and that Her Britannic Majesty may appoint a Consul to reside at Manwyne; and that the Consuls of the two Governments shall each within the territories of the other enjoy the same privileges and immunities as the Consuls of the most favoured nation.

Further, that, in proportion as the commerce between Burmah and China. increases, additional Consuls may be appointed by mutual agreement, to reside at such places in Burmah and Yünnan as the requirements of the trade may seem to demand.

The correspondence between the British and Chinese Consuls respectively, and the chief authority at the place where they reside, shall be conducted on terms of perfect equality.

XIV.-Passports.-Passports, written in Chinese and English, and identical in terms to those issued to foreigners at the Treaty ports in China, shall, on the application of the proper British authorities, be issued to British merchants and others wishing to proceed to China from Burmah, by the Chinese Consul at Rangoon or by the Chinese authorities on the frontier; and Chinese subjects wishing to proceed to Burmah from China shall, on the application of any recognized Chinese official, be entitled to receive similar passports from Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Manwyne or other convenient places in China where there may be a British Consular officer.

XV.-Extradition of criminals.-Should criminals, subjects of either country, take refuge in the territory of the other, they shall, on due requisition being made, be searched for, and, on reasonable presumption of their guilt being established, they shall be surrendered to the authorities demanding their extradition. “Due requisition" shall be held to mean the demand of any functionary of either Government possessing a seal of office, and the demand may be addressed to the nearest frontier officer of the country in which the fugitive has taken refuge.

XVI.-Telegraph lines to be extended. With a view to improving the intercourse between the two countries, and placing the Chinese Consul at Rangoon in communication with the high provincial authorities in Yünnan, the High Contracting Parties undertake to connect the telegraphic systems of the two countries with each other as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made; the line will, however, at first only be used for the transmission of official telegrams and of general messages for and from Burmah and the Province of Yünnan.

XVII.-Favored-nation provision.-It is agreed that subjects of the two Powers shall each within the territories of the other enjoy all the privileges, immunities, and advantages that may have been, or may hereafter be accorded to the subjects of any other nation..

XVIII. Stipulations of convention restricted to localities mentioned.— It is agreed that the commercial stipulations contained in the present Convention being of a special nature and the result of mutual concessions, consented to with a view to adapting them to local conditions and the peculiar necessities of the Burmah-China overland trade, the advantages accruing from them shall not be invoked by the subjects of either Power residing at other places where the two