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countries. In a few days the propaganda of years has been undone, and both nations are now able to see how near they came to being led into the trap which had been skilfully set for them.

Throughout the conferences which have taken place Viscount Ishii has shown a sincerity and candour which dispelled every doubt as to his purpose, and brought the two Governments into an attitude of confidence toward each other which made it possible to discuss every question with frankness and cordiality, approaching the subject in such a spirit and with the mutual desire to remove every possible cause of controversy.

The negotiations were marked by a sincerity and goodwill which from the first ensured their success. The principal result of the negotiations was the mutual understanding which was reached as to the principles governing the policies of the two Governments in relation to China. This understanding is formally set forth in the notes exchanged and now made public. The statements in the notes require no explanation; they not only contain a reaffirmation of the open-door policy, but introduce a principle of non-interference with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China which, generally applied, is essential to perpetual international peace as clearly declared by President Wilson, and which is the very foundation also of pan-Americanism as interpreted by this Government. The removal of doubts and suspicions and the mutual declaration of the new doctrine as to the Far East would be enough to make the visit of the Japanese Commission to the United States historic and memorable, but it accomplished a further purpose, which is of special interest to the world at this time, in expressing Japan's earnest desire to co-operate with this country in waging war against the German Government. The discussion, which covered the military, naval, and economic activities to be employed with due regard to relative resources and ability, showed the same spirit of sincerity and candour which characterised the negotiations resulting in the exchange of notes.

At the present time it is inexpedient to make public the details of these conversations, but it may be said that this Government has been gratified by the assertions of Viscount Ishii and his colleagues that their Government desired to do their part in the suppression of Prussian militarism, and were eager to co-operate in every practical way to that end.

It might be added, however, that complete and satisfactory understandings upon the matter of naval co-operation in the Pacific for the purpose of attaining the common object against Germany and her allies have been reached between

the representative of the Imperial Japanese navy, who is attached to the Special Mission of Japan, and the representative of the United States navy.

It is only just to say that the success which has attended the intercourse of the Japanese Commission with American officials and with private persons as well is due in large measure to the personality of Viscount Ishii, the head of the mission. The natural reserve and hesitation which are not unusual in negotiations of a delicate nature disappeared under the influence of his open friendliness, while his frankness won the confidence and good-will of all. It is doubtful if a representative of a different temper could in so short a time have done as much as Viscount Ishii to place on a better and firmer basis the relations between the United States and Japan; through him the American people have gained a new and higher conception of the reality of Japan's friendship for the United States, which will be mutually beneficial in the future.

Viscount Ishii will be remembered in this country as a statesman of high attainments, as a diplomat with a true vision of international affairs, and as a genuine and outspoken friend of America.

(No. 3.)-Chinese Minister to Mr. Balfour.-(Received

November 12.)

Chinese Legation, London, November 9, 1917.

YOUR EXCELLENCY,

UNDER instructions from my Government I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency, for the information of His Britannic Majesty's Government, the enclosed copy of a telegram which I have received from the Wai-chiao Pu, Peking, in reference to the notes exchanged between the Governments of the United States and Japan regarding relations with China.

I have, &c.

SAO-KE ALFRED SZE.

Enclosure.

Copy of a Telegram from the Wai-chiao Pu, Peking, dated November 8, and received by the Chinese Minister in London on November 9, 1917.

THE following declaration, anent the exchange of notes between the United States and Japan vis-à-vis China, was delivered to the American and Japanese Ministers to-day with the request that the same be communicated to their respective Governments:

The Government of the United States and the Government of Japan have recently, in order to silence mischievous reports, effected an exchange of notes at Washington concerning their desires and intentions with regard to China. Copies of the said notes have been communicated to the Chinese Government by the Japanese Minister at Peking, and the Chinese Government, in order to avoid misunderstanding, hastens to make the following declaration so as to make known the views of the Chinese Government. The principle adopted by the Chinese Government towards the friendly nations has always been one of justice and equality, and consequently the rights enjoyed by the friendly nations derived from the treaties have been consistently respected, and so also, even with the special relations between countries created by the fact of territorial contiguity, but only in so far as they have already been provided for in her existing treaties. Hereafter the Chinese Government will still adhere to the principle hitherto adopted, and it is hereby again declared that the Chinese Government will not allow herself to be bound by any agreement entered into by other nations. Communicate the above to the Government to which you are accredited.-WAI-CHIAO PU.

DANISH NOTICE relative to the conclusion of an Agreement between Denmark and Bulgaria on December 31, 1917, providing for reciprocal Mostfavoured-nation Treatment of Goods and Shipping during the year 1918.-January 16, 1918.

(Translation.)

ON the 31st December, 1917, the Danish Government concluded with the Bulgarian Government by an exchange of Notes an Agreement to the effect that the Agreement* concluded in pursuance of the Royal Resolution of the 13th August, 1909, providing that Danish goods and Danish shipping should in the year 1910 be treated in Bulgaria similarly to the goods and shipping of the most favoured nation, in return for the accordance of similar treatment to Bulgarian goods and shipping in Denmark, published on the 14th December, 1909, is renewed for the year 1918. ERIK SCAVENIUS.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs,

January 16, 1918.

* Vol. CII, page 194.

DANISH LAW providing for the Union of Denmark and Iceland.-Amalienborg, November 30, 1918.

(Translation.)

WE, Christian X, by the grace of God, King of Denmark, the Vandals and Goths, Duke of Slesvig, Holstein, Stormann, Dytmarshen, Lauenborg, and Oldenborg, make known:

The Rigsdag has passed and we by our consent have confirmed the following Law:

PART 1.

Sec. 1. Denmark and Iceland shall be free and sovereign States united under a common King, and by the agreement contained in this law of Union; the names of both States shall be included in the King's title.

2. The succession to the throne shall be that fixed in the Law of the 31st July, 1853, regarding the succession to the throne, Articles I and II, and cannot be changed without the consent of both States.

3. The existing regulations with regard to the King's religion, his authority and the administration of the prerogative in the event of the King's illness, minority or his absence from both States, shall also be valid for Iceland.

4. The King cannot without the consent of the Danish Rigsdag and the Icelandic Assembly (" Alting ") be a regent in other lands.

5. Each of the States shall decide separately the question of State grants to the King and the Royal Household.

PART 2.

6. Danish citizens in Iceland are to enjoy equal rights in every respect with Icelandic-born citizens and vice versa.

Citizens of each country are to be exempt from military service in the other land. Entrance to both States' territorial waters for fishing purposes is to be equally free to Danish and Icelandic citizens irrespective of where they are domiciled.

Danish ships are to enjoy in Iceland the same rights as Icelandic ships, and vice versa.

Danish and Icelandic merchandise and products must reciprocally in no wise receive less favourable treatment than those of any other land.

PART 3.

7. Denmark shall attend on Iceland's behalf to its foreign affairs.

A committee which shall be conversant with Icelandic affairs is to be formed in the Foreign Office in accordance with the wishes of the Icelandic Government, and after consultation with them, in order to deal with Icelandic affairs.

In places where an Envoy Minister or Consul de carrière is not appointed, such will after discussion with or according to the wishes of the Icelandic Government be appointed on condition that Iceland repays such expenses as are incurred thereby.

On this assumption attachés who are experts in Icelandic affairs will be appointed to Legations or Consulates already in existence. If the Icelandic Government should wish at its own expense to despatch delegates to carry on negotiations in connection with special Icelandic affairs this can take place by arrangement with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

All Agreements which have been entered into between Denmark and other countries and published are, as far as they concern Iceland, also to be valid for this country.

After the ratification of this law of union, Agreements entered into by Denmark with other States shall not be binding for Iceland without the consent of the proper Icelandic authorities.

8. Denmark will, until such time as Iceland may decide to take over at its own expense either wholly or in part the inspection of fishing in Icelandic waters, undertake to carry out such under the Danish flag.

9. The coinage system will remain the same for both States as long as the existing Scandinavian Coinage Union remains in force.

In the event of Iceland wishing to establish its own Mint, it will be necessary for her to negotiate with Sweden and Norway as to the question of such coinage being recognised as legal tender in these countries.

10. The Danish Supreme Court of Justice shall exercise supreme legal authority in Icelandic affairs until such time as Iceland may decide to establish a Supreme Court of Justice in the country itself.

Until then one Judgeship in the Supreme Court shall be filled by an Icelander, which regulation shall come into force on the first possible occasion.

11. In so far as Iceland's share in the cost of attention to the affairs discussed in this section has not been decided in the foregoing, this will be determined by Agreement between the Governments of both lands.

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