Protocol., the 27th of January, 1875

Protocol.

The undersigned, signatories of the protocol of the 20th of December last, have met again to take into consideration the note (identical) of January 11, which the Tsungli Yamen has delivered to them, in reply to their notes dated, respectively, the 24th, the 28th, and the 28th of December, relative to the protection of the telegraphic cables in the waters of China.

The undersigned freely admit that in taking the measures demanded by them, the Yamen has given proof of good-will; but they do not admit the justice of the general remarks which they find in the first part of the reply, and with which the Yamen has thought proper to precede its decision. They regard as entirely inadmissible the assertions and insinuations of the Yamen, relative to the pretended very great difficulties in the way of efficacious protection of lines of telegraph, whether submarine or aerial. These assertions contradict the experience already had, and are inconsistent with what we know as to the authority of the Chinese government. But if, on the one hand, the undersigned do not admit the justice of the remarks alluded to, they do not, on the other hand, deem it to be timely or necessary to open a discussion upon these points-; and they think it is enough for the present to make a simple reservation relative to the same in the response which they contemplate making to the Tsungli Yamen.

In view of these considerations, the undersigned agree—

1. That each of them shall address, in reply to the Tsungli Yamen’s identical note of the 11th instant, an answer in these words:

“The undersigned has had the honor to receive the note of January 11, which the Tsungli Yamen [or Your Imperial Highness] was good enough to address to him in response to his note of, relative to the protection of the telegraphic cables in the waters of China. The Tsungli Yamen [or Your Imperial Highness] announces in the last part of this note that in consideration of the request of the undersigned and his colleagues, it [he] has decided to give the necessary orders, so that the authorities in the maritime provinces may take efficacious measures for the protection of the cables.

“In consideration of this decision, and appreciating as he does the friendly disposition it evinces, the undersigned thinks that he may, for the present, abstain from discussing the observations which he finds in the first part of the note, and with which the Tsungli Yamen thought proper to precede its decision; and he will not fail to give, conformably to the promise conveyed by him in his note, the necessary orders to the consular officers of his nation, so that they may co-operate with the Chinese authorities for the efficacious protection of the cables mentioned.

“The undersigned avails himself &c., &c.

2. That, conformably to the promise made to the Tsungli Yamen, each of the signatories will—

• Bring to the knowledge of the consuls of his nation, in the way that seems best to him, the contents of the correspondence above mentioned between him and the Tsungli Yamen; and—
• Give to those officers instructions to put themselves in communication with the Chinese authorities in order to inform themselves of the measure which may be adopted by the latter, and, in case of need, aid them with advice; to inform their legation of what the Chinese authorities have done; and to indicate the measures which may, in their opinion, be useful and convenient for adoption to the end in view by the consular authorities and other foreigners.