WEIHAIWAI TERRITORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21019, 7 May 1930, Page 11

WEIHAIWAI TERRITORY

RESTORATION TO CHINA. SIGNING OF CONVENTION. THE PRINCIPAL CLAUSES. (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph— Uopyright.) RUGBY, May 5. The terms are issued of the cuuventiou recently signed by Sir Miles Lampsou (British Minister in China) and Dr Wang (Chinese Foreign Minister) for the restoration in full sovereignty to China of the territory of Weihaiwai, which was leased to his Britannic Majesty under the convention of July 1, 1898. The convention provides that the British garrison station within the territory shall be withdrawn within one month of its entry into force, which shall take place on its ratification on October 1, 1930. The transfer of the administration and of the public properties shall take place, on the same day, and the existing administrating regulations will as far as possible be maintained. All the title deeds Issued to Chinese owners by the British administration of Weihaiwai shall be recognised as being of the_ same validity as during the British administration. All title deeds issued to persons other than Chinese ahull he exchanged, for Chinese deeds of perpetual lease, and all leases issued by the Britisu administration will be recognised. Should the Chinese Government decide to close the port of Weihaiwai to foreign vessels and trade, with a view to utilising it exclusively as a naval base, the interests of the foreign property owners and leaseholders will be bought out at fair compensation, to be agreed upon between the Governments.of China and the United Kingdom, who will appoint a joint commission for determining the -amount of this compensation in each case. Unless the National Government of China decides to close the port with this object, it r-ill maintain it as an area of international residence and trade, and will lease to the British Government for 30 years* with the option of renewal, certain lands and buildings for the requirements of the British Consulate and the public interests of the residents. All decisions in the British courts pronounced before this convention shall be considered to have the force of those pronounced by Chinese courts. Pending the general application of a system of local government in China the Chinese local authorities will ascertain the. views of the foreign residents in Weihaiwai in such municipal matters as may affect their welfare and interests. The two plenipotentiaries also signed an agreement by which the Chinese Gov eminent will loan to the British Govern ment, free of charge, as a sanatorium and summer resort, for the use of the British Navy, certain buildings and facilities on Linkungtao Island, in Weihaiwai Bay, for ten .years, with the option of renewal.