On the 17th January, 1911, the high contracting parties will deposit in the same manner their counter-cases, with documents in support of them. These counter-cases may necessitate replies, which must be presented within a period of fifteen days after the delivery of the counter-cases. The periods fixed by the present agreement for the delivery of the cases, counter-cases, and replies may be extended by mutual agreement between the high contracting parties. ARTICLE 4. The Tribunal shall meet at The Hague the 14th February, 1911. Each party will be represented by an agent, who shall serve as intermediary between it and the Tribunal. The arbitral tribunal may, if it thinks necessary, call upon one or other of the agents to furnish it with oral or written explanations, to which the agent of the other party shall have the right to reply. It shall also have the right to order the attendance of witnesses. ARTICLE 5. The parties may employ the French or English language. The members of the Tribunal may, at their own choice, make use of the French or English language. The decisions of the Tribunal shall be drawn up in the two languages. ARTICLE 6. The award of the Tribunal shall be given as soon as possible, and, in any case, within thirty days following the date of its meeting at The Hague or that of the delivery of the written explanations which may have been furnished at its request. This period may, however, be prolonged at the request of the Tribunal if the two high contracting parties agree. Done in duplicate at London, October 25, 1910. (L. s.) E. GREY. IMPERIAL CHINESE DECREE CONVENING THE PARLIAMENT1 November 4. With reference to the telegrams from the viceroys and governors of the several provinces, praying that constitutional canons be promulgated, that a parliament be established and that a cabinet be constructed, and with reference to the memorial of the National Assembly stating that assemblies of Shuntien and the remaining several provinces have presented memoranda praying for the more speedy opening of the Parliament and so forth; these telegrams and memorial were upon receipt handed to the Grand Council and the Government Council for their joint perusal and discussion. Thereafter the princes and ministers in these bodies each expressed their views thereon presenting them to the throne in the form of memoranda. They were received in audience on November 3, and were interrogated in detail. The question was thoroughly debated upon, and their views thereon were well nigh unanimous. Since the time in the previous reign, when a period was settled for establishment of a constitutional government, and preparations were made therefor year by year, we recognized with respect the import of this behest; and we have been night and day in apprehension, nor at any time have we not held in our intent the desire to administer in correspondence with His purpose. But even as we have not ventured in the least to delay, so likewise have we not ventured upon haste disproportionate to the circumstances. Upon two occasions has the Court of Censors memorialized requesting the more speedy opening of the parliament. On both occasions have we very distinctly notified that at that time it was our object to proceed in appreciation of the importance of this act of government, and that therefore sincerely we could not but continue in the exercise of circumspection. Yet now in gauging conditions of the time, they are found to differ in every breath and in every twinkling of an eye; and the menace of existing circumstances becomes daily greater. The throne is night and day in perturbation of mind, in its anxiety to avert and save. The only course is quickly to proceed to constitutional government in order to bring about an improvement daily progressive. No need for the high ministers and the people to beg and pray. We ourselves have arrived at this conclusion. Yet do we fear that the popular intelligence is still not entirely opened out; nor do the monetary resources suffice to cover the 1 North-China Herald, November 11, 1910. requirements. If measures are taken too rapidly then perhaps there is ground for a fear that the desire for dispatch will eventuate in nothing attained. Consequently the only course was to examine the pros and the cons of popular sentiment and then would the throne decide for or against. It is evident now that the prayers of the representatives of the people proceed from extreme sincerity. The majority of the ministers and officers of the metropolis and the provinces are in favor of quickly proceeding; the feelings of the people have burst forth and the views of the multitude are at one. The representatives must assuredly have a grasp of the public duties for which the people should be responsible. The throne should examine and ascertain the wishes of the officials and the people and correspond with the public view of what is good or bad. Before assembling the parliament the principal preparations must first be made. The matter is of such great weight and the issues involved are so numerous that this cannot be brought to a conclusion in less than one or two years. It is accordingly commanded that the date originally fixed for the establishment of the parliament be changed to the 5th year of Hsuan Tung, namely 1913. In the first place the official system will be arranged and will be put into experimental operation, and then the cabinet must be organized; thereafter in compliance with the Imperial decision to lay down constitutional laws, a code of constitutional law will be formed; then further the laws governing the parliament and election of the officers of the upper and lower houses and matters affecting the system of constitutional government, which must first be put into operation, shall all be taken in hand at the same time, and shall all be completely prepared before the assembling of parliament, and shall be the subject of memorials, requesting their Imperial promulgation. There must not be the least delay or omission. In fine, all doubt being now disposed of, the project can be arranged, decided and brought to completion. This shortening of the time limit is the result of taking opinions from memorials of the viceroys and governors, and of the most careful counsel and discussion of the princes and ministers who have requested the Imperial decision. It follows from full deliberation, cooperative consultation and choice of what is most fitted. Consequently there must be no delay; but likewise there must be no further haste, and the matter must be regarded as definitely settled. The time limit is thus finally promulgated, and on no account whatever can there be further discussion as to changing it. Let the metropolitan and provincial high officers observe that they should co-operate in efforts to proceed, and should come to the assistance of the difficulties of the times. The responsibilities of the viceroys and governors are especially weighty. In making the various local preparations, the officials should be most strictly on the alert in supervising and directing their subordinates to take quick and proper measures, and to let the matter no longer remain a name and not a fact, and not to permit it to be blocked or obstructed with empty talk. They must act so that point by point is completed, and so that time by time there is progress: and no matter how much difficulty may be involved they should make endeavors to correspond to their responsibilities. If perchance there is any neglect or omission or any attempt to acquire fictitious merit, severe punishment will certainly result, without the least leniency or clemency. The officials have the responsibility of general supervision; the people, too, have before them an order of things with which they should comply. If hereafter there are any ignorant and witless folk who raise pretexts for fanning popular excitement, in the hope perchance, of creating a breach in this scheme, or of stepping beyond the bounds laid down, this will be equivalent to creating a disturbance of the peace, and punishment in accordance with the law must forthwith ensue; and by no means will it be permitted that the path forward to constitutional government shall be obstructed; that thus good results may be expected to follow at the appointed time; and that we may behold completion at an early day; giving in heaven repose to the spirit of the former monarch; and on earth repose to the importunate hopes of the people within the four seas, let this edict be universally known. Such is the Imperial command. The same day a further Imperial Edict was received as follows: "The Imperial directions have now been given that the time when the parliament shall be established, shall be the 5th year of Hsuan Tung (1913). The Board of the Interior, and the provincial viceroys and governors shall now firmly instruct and order the representatives of the provinces at once to disperse and return, each following his calling in peace, and quietly awaiting the arrangement of all details by the throne. Such is the Imperial command." (Signed and sealed by the Prince Regent, the Grand Council, the Prince and Ministers, etc., etc.) FINAL ACT OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE HELD AT WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 16 TO DECEMBER 31, 1889.1 The President of the United States of America, in pursuance of a special provision of Congress, having extended to the Governments of all maritime nations in diplomatic relations with his own, an invitation to send delegates to a Maritime Conference to meet in the city of Washington on the 16th of October, 1889, to discuss, revise, and amend the rules, regulations, and practice concerning vessels at sea and navigation generally, this International Marine Conference assembled at the time and place designated, and, after careful and patient discussion and consideration of the entire programme, passed the following resolutions upon the subjects contained under the various general divisions: 1 Transmitted to the Secretary of State of the United States with the following letter: INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE, Washington, December 31, 1889. Secretary of State, Department of State. Hon. James G. Blaine, Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the Conference, at a session held on December 30, 1889, upon motion of the first delegate for France, passed the following resolution: 46 Resolved, That a final act be printed showing for each division of the programme, and in the order of the divisions, the resolutions adopted by the Conference. "This act to be signed in the name of the Conference by the President and the Secretary." In compliance with this resolution I have the honor to transmit said Final Act. The Conference recommend that a copy of this Final Act be transmitted to the various powers represented. The following governments sent delegates to the Conference: Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Chili, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Hawaii, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Siam, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and United States. In the name of the International Marine Conference, I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, S. R. FRANKLIN, Rear-Admiral, U. S. Navy, President. V. L. COTTMAN, Lieutenant, U. S. Navy, Secretary. |