ARTICLE I. The two High Contracting Parties engage to respect the territorial integrity of Thibet and to abstain from all interference in its internal administration. ARTICLE II. In conformity with the admitted principle of the suzerainty of China over Thibet, Great Britain and Russia engage not to enter into negotiations with Thibet except through the intermediary of the Chinese Government. This engagement does not exclude the direct relations between British Commercial Agents and the Thibetan authorities provided for in Article V of the Convention between Great Britain and Thibet of the 7th September, 1904, and confirmed by the Convention between Great Britain and China of the 27th April, 1906; nor does it modify the engagements entered into by Great Britain and China in Article I of the said Convention of 1906. It is clearly understood that Buddhists, subjects of Great Britain or of Russia, may enter into direct relations on strictly religious matters with the Dalai Lama and the other representatives of Buddhism in Thibet; the Governments of Great Britain and Russia engage, as far as they are concerned, not to allow those relations to infringe the stipulations of the present Arrangement. ARTICLE III. The British and Russian Governments respectively engage not to send Representatives to Lhassa. ARTICLE IV. The two High Contracting Parties engage neither to seek nor to obtain, whether for themselves or their subjects, any Concessions for railways, roads, telegraphs, and mines, or other rights in Thibet. ARTICLE V. The two Governments agree that no part of the revenues of Thibet, whether in kind or in cash, shall be pledged or assigned to Great Britain or Russia or to any of their subjects. ANNEX TO THE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA CONCERNING THIBET. Great Britain reaffirms the Declaration, signed by his Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India and appended to the ratification of the Convention of the 7th September, 1904, to the effect that the occupation of the Chumbi Valley by British forces shall cease after the payment of three annual instalments of the indemnity of 25,000,000 rupees, provided that the trade marts mentioned in Article II of that Convention have been effectively opened for three years, and that in the meantime the Thibetan authorities have faithfully complied in all respects with the terms of the said Convention of 1904. It is clearly understood that if the occupation of the Chumbi Valley by the British forces has, for any reason, not been terminated at the time anticipated in the above Declaration, the British and Russian Governments will enter upon a friendly exchange of views on this subject. The present Convention shall be ratified, and the ratifications exchanged at St. Petersburgh as soon as possible. In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentaries have signed the present Convention and affixed thereto their seals. Done in duplicate at St. Petersburgh, the 18th (31st) August, 1907. (L. S.) A. NICOLSON. Inclosure 2 in No. 2. Sir A. Nicolson to M. Iswolsky. M. le Ministre, ST. PETERSBURGH, August 18 (31), 1907. With reference to the Arrangement regarding Thibet, signed today, I have the honour to make the following Declaration to your Excellency: "His Britannic Majesty's Government think it desirable, so far as they are concerned, not to allow, unless by a previous agreement with the Russian Government, for a period of three years from the date of the present communication, the entry into Thibet of any scientific mission whatever, on condition that a like assurance is given on the part of the Imperial Russian Government. "His Britannic Majesty's Government propose, moreover, to approach the Chinese Government with a view to induce them to accept a similar obligation for a corresponding period; the Russian Government will, as a matter of course, take similar action. "At the expiration of the term of three years above mentioned His Britannic Majesty's Government will, if necessary, consult with the Russian Government as to the desirability of any ulterior measures with regard to scientific expeditions to Thibet." M. l'Ambassadeur, Inclosure 3 in No. 2. M. Iswolsky to Sir A. Nicolson. ST. PETERSBURGH, August 18 (31), 1907. In reply to your Excellency's note of even date, I have the honour to declare that the Imperial Russian Government think it desirable, so far as they are concerned, not to allow, unless by a previous agreement with the British Government, for a period of three years from the date of the present communication, the entry into Thibet of any scientific mission whatever. Like the British Government, the Imperial Government propose to approach the Chinese Government with a view to induce them to accept a similar obligation for a corresponding period. It is understood that at the expiration of the term of three years the two Governments will, if necessary, consult with each other as to the desirability of any ulterior measures with regard to scientific expeditions to Thibet. PROTOCOL PROVIDING FOR A GENERAL CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE REPUBLICS OF COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA, SIGNED AT WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 17, 1907. We, the representatives of the five Central American Republics, having met in the city of Washington at the instance of their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States in order to devise the means of preserving the good relations among said Republics and of bringing about permanent peace in those countries, and for the purpose of establishing bases conducive to the attainment of such ends, being duly authorized by our respective governments, have agreed to the following: ARTICLE I. Following a formal invitation which, as is understood, is to be made simultaneously to each of the five Central American Republics by Their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States, a Conference of the plenipotentiaries to be appointed for the purpose by the governments of the said Republics, viz, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, shall meet during the first fifteen days of November next in the City of Washington for the purpose of discussing the steps to be taken and the measures to be adopted in order to adjust any differences which may exist among said Republics or any of them, and for the purpose of concluding a treaty which shall determine their general relations. ARTICLE II. Their Excellencies the Presidents of the Central American Republics shall invite Their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States to appoint, if they deem proper, their respective representatives to lend their good and impartial offices in a purely friendly way towards the realization of the objects of the Conference. ARTICLE III. Until the Conference meets and accomplishes the lofty mission devolving upon it, the five Central American Republics, to-wit, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, agree to maintain peace and good relations among one another and they respectively assume the obligation not to commit or allow to be committed any act which might disturb their mutual tranquillity. To this end they shall refrain from an armed demonstration on their respective frontiers and shall withdraw their naval forces to their territorial waters. ARTICLE IV. If any unforeseen question should unfortunately arise among any of the said Republics pending the meeting of the Conference, and if it should be impossible to adjust it by the friendly means of diplomacy, it is mutually agreed that the parties concerned shall submit the difference to the good counsels of His Excellency the President of the United States of America, or of the President of the United Mexican States or of both Presidents jointly, according to circumstances and in conformity with the agreement to be concluded for the purpose. Signed in Washington, the seventeenth day of the month of September, one thousand nine hundred and seven. J. B. CALVO, F. MEJIA, LUIS TOLEDO HERRARTE, LUIS F. COREA. ACT OF DOMINICAN CONGRESS AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE TO ISSUE AND SELL $20,000,000 BONDS. [From "Gaceta Oficial," September 18, 1907.] The National Congress. In the Name of the Republic. On the Initiative of the Executive Power. URGENCY DECLARED. In exercise of the power conferred upon it by Article 23 of the Political Constitution of the State, and to the end that all the provisions of the Convention celebrated between the Republic and the United States of America on February 8, 1907, and approved by this High Body on May 3 of the same year, may be complied with and to provide for the execution, issue and sale of the bonds therein mentioned: and in view of the Decree which declares the loan for which the issue and sale of bonds is provided to be of public utility, RESOLVES: Article 1. To authorize the Executive Power to issue and sell, through the Secretary of Finance and Commerce, in such form and denominations, and upon such terms as it may deem best for the interests of the Republic, secured by the Convention above mentioned, and by the import |