A.—6.

36

VI. Resolution to provide for an Inquiry by the Diplomatic Representatives of the Powers in China concerning the Presence of Foreign Armed Forces. Adopted at the Fifth Plenary Session, Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington, Ist February, 1922. Whereas the Powers have from time to time stationed armed forces, including police and railway guards, in China to protect, the lives and property of foreigners lawfully in China : And whereas it, appears that certain of these armed forces arc maintained in China without the authority of any treaty or agreement : And whereas the Powers have declared their intention to withdraw their armed forces now on duty in China without, the, authority of any treaty or agreement whenever China shall assure the protection of the lives and property of foreigners in China : And whereas China has declared her intention and capacity to assure the protection of the lives and property of foreigners in China : Now, to the end that there maybe clear understanding of the conditions upon which in each case the practical execution of those intentions must depend, it is resolved — That, the Diplomatic, Representatives in Pekin of the Powers now in Conference at Washington — to wit, the United States of America, Belgium, the British Empire, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Portugal will be instructed by their respective Governments, whenever China shall so request, to associate themselves with three representatives of tin; Chinese Government to conduct collectively a full and impartial inquiry into the issues raised by the foregoing declarations of intention made by the. Powers and by China, and shall thereafter prepare a full and comprehensive report, setting- out without reservation their findings of fact and their opinion with regard to the matter hereby referred for inquiry, and shall furnish a, copy of their report to each of the nine Governments concerned, which shall severally make, public, the report, with such comment as each may deem appropriate. The representatives of any of the Powers may make or join in minority reports stating their differences, if any, from the majority reporl. That, each of the Powers above named shall be deemed free to accept or reject all or any of the findings of fact or opinions expressed in the report, but thai in no case shall any of I lie said Powers make its acceptance of all or any of the findings of fact of opinions either directly or indirectly dependent on the granting by China of any special concession, favour, benefit, or immunity, whether political or economic. VII. Resolution to limit the Use and Maintenance of Foreign Radio-stations in China, with Supplementary Declarations by the Powers other than China and by China. Adopted at the Fifth Plenary Session, Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington, Ist February, 1922. The representatives of the Powers hereinafter named participating in the discussion of Pacific and Far Eastern questions in the Conference on the Limitation of Armament—-to wit, the United States of America, Belgium, the British Empire, China, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Portugal—have resolved1. That all radio-stations in China, whether maintained under the provisions of the international protocol of the 7th September, 1901, or in fact maintained in the grounds of any of the foreign legations in China, shall be limited in their use to sending and receiving Government messages, and shall not receive or send commercial or personal or unofficial messages, including Press matter : Provided, however, that in case all other telegraphic communication is interrupted, then, upon official notification accompanied by proof of such interruption to the Chinese Ministry of Communications, such stations may afford temporary facilities for commercial, personal, or unofficial messages, including Press matter, until the Chinese Government has given notice of the termination of the interruption. 2. All radio-stations operated within the territory of China by a foreign Government, or the citizens or subjects thereof, under treaties or concessions of the Government of China, shall limit the messages sent and received by the terms of the treaties or concessions under which the respective stations are maintained. 3. In case there, be any radio-station maintained in the territory of China by a foreign Government, or citizens or subjects thereof, without, the authority of the Chinese Government, such station, and all the, plant, apparatus, and material thereof, shall be transferred to and taken over by the Government of China, to be operated under the, direction of the Chinese Ministry of Communications, upon fair and full compensation to the owners for the value of the installation, as soon as the Chinese, Ministry of Communications is prepared to operate the same effectively for the general public benefit. 4. If any questions shall arise as to the radio-stations in leased territories, in the. South Manehurian Railway zone, or in the French concession at Shanghai, they shall be regarded as matters for discussion between the Chinese, Government and the Governments concerned. 5. The owners or managers of all radio-stations maintained in the territory of China by foreign Powers, or citizens or subjects thereof, shall confer with the Chinese Ministry of Communications for the purpose of seeking a common arrangement to avoid interference in the use, of wave-lengths by wireless stations in China, subject to such general arrangements as may be made by an international conference convened for the revision of the rules established by the International Radio Telegraph Convention signed at London, sth July, 1912.