spent within ten years from this date on the erection of the pier and buildings exceeds 5,000l., then the lease shall be in force for sixty-six years, or, if the amount so shown to be spent exceeds 10,000l., then the lease shall be in force for ninety-nine years." Seeing that various difficulties which have lately arisen, especially with regard to the transport of material by sea, have prevented the Italian Government from completing the works they had projected and already begun; His Excellency the Baron Sidney Sonnino, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the name of and on behalf of the Italian Government, and Sir James Rennell Rodd, Ambassador of His Britannic Majesty, in the name of and on behalf of the British Government, have agreed as follows: SINGLE ARTICLE. The Italian Government requests and the British Government consents to the prolongation of the period of ten years, established by Article IV of the above-mentioned Italo-Britannic Agreement of the 13th January, 1905, for one year, dating from the 13th January, 1915, for all the effects and purposes of the same Article. In faith of which the undersigned have affixed their seals to the present Agreement. Done in duplicate, at Rome, this 23rd March, 1915. (L.S.) RENNELL RODD. (L.S.) SIDNEY SONNINO. DENUNCIATION by Italy of the Customs Convention of November 26, 1901, between Eritrea and the AngloEgyptian Soudan.-London, July 2, 1916. (No. 1.-Italian Ambassador in London to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Italian Embassy, (Translation.) [No. 2713.] London, 2nd July, 1916. SIR, IN accordance with instructions just received, I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Italian Government, availing themselves of their right of denunciation by giving notice six months before the expiry of the agreement, have decided to denounce the Customs Convention between Eritrea and the Anglo-Egyptian Soudan concluded on the 26th November, 1901,* and renewed since then at intervals of five years. This Convention should therefore be regarded as having lapsed on the 2nd January, 1917. In asking your Excellency to be so good as to inform me that note has been taken of this denunciation, I have, etc., (No. 2.) The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Italian Ambassador in London. YOUR EXCELLENCY, Foreign Office, July 13th, 1916. WITH reference to the note (No. 2713) which Your Excellency was good enough to address to me on the 2nd instant, I have the honour to state that His Majesty's Government have taken note of the denunciation by the Italian Government of the Customs Convention between Eritrea and the AngloEgyptian Soudan, which will therefore lapse on January 2nd next. I have, etc., His Excellency The Marquis Imperiali, E. GREY. EXCHANGE OF OF NOTES between Great Britain and Italy defining the Agreement between the two Countries as to their Relations with regard to the "Senoussia."-Rome, July 31, 1916. (No. 1.) The British Ambassador at Rome to the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs. M. LE MINIStre, British Embassy, Rome, July 31, 1916. IN your letter of to-day your Excellency recapitulates the points which, after careful examination, have been formulated in the discussions which have taken place between us, in accord * Vol. XCIV, page 581. with the Minister of the Colonies, with an object of placing on a solid and friendly basis in their common interests the relations of Great Britain and Italy with regard to the "Senoussia," and you accordingly now invite me to signify to you officially their acceptance by His Majesty's Government, so that a complete understanding may be established between the two Governments on all these points. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I am authorised by His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to accept the following dispositions which define the understanding arrived at between the two Govern ments. Great Britain and Italy having already agreed on the closing of the Egyptian frontier to supplies for the rebels and to the closing of the markets of Cyrenaica to the rebels, due care being exercised not to starve the friendly populations. Agree (A.) 1. To make no agreement with the Senoussi without a previous understanding with one another. 2. That the opening and closing of the Egyptian and Cyrenaica markets shall be determined by common consent between the two powers. 3. That, should the necessity arise, military co-operation may extend over Egyptian or Cyrenaica territory in an area to be agreed upon in each case, with reciprocal facilities for disembarking at the landing places of Sollum or Bardia, it being understood that neither party will establish permanent posts nor construct forts in the territory of the other which they might be obliged to cross in order to attack the enemy. 4. That they will co-operate in the manner which shall be agreed upon between the naval commands in Egypt and Cyrenaica, in watching the coasts, having the right reciprocally to cross the maritime boundary. 5. That they will establish exchanges of information. between Egypt and Cyrenaica. (B.) As regards the special negotiations with Said Idris now on foot, Great Britain and Italy agree : 1. To recognise the Senoussi confraternity and religious power and functions of its chief in the person of Said Idris el Senoussi. 2. Not to accord any territorial concessions to the head of the confraternity. 3. Not to accord him independence or autonomy or in any way infringe the sovereignty of the State. 4. That it is possible to accord to the head of the confraternity the administrative autonomy of certain oases always under the sovereignty of the State in possession. 5. That they will exchange views on the following points :whether, and if so, what facilities can be conceded generally to the Senoussi, excluding always arms and ammunition; whether, and if so, what subsidies, honours and privileges shall be accorded to the Senoussi family and the head of the confraternity. 6. For their mutual advantage not to conclude either of them on their own account the negotiations now on foot with Said Idris without a previous general understanding regarding such clauses as may effect either Egypt or Cyrenaica. The dispositions of this agreement do not prejudice the questions still to be settled in fixing the frontiers between Egypt and Cyrenaica, questions with regard to which the position of the contracting parties remains as before. I avail, etc. His Excellency, RENNELL RODD. Baron Sonnino. (No.2.)-Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs to the British Ambassador at Rome. Ministry for Foreign Affairs Rome, July 31, 1916. (Translation.) M. L'AMBASSADEUR, WITH the object in their common interest of placing on a friendly and solid basis the relations of Italy and Great Britain with regard to the "Senoussia" the following points have been carefully examined and formulated by your Excellency in accord with the Minister of the Colonies, and I now signify my official acceptance of them in the name of the Government of the King, asking your Excellency to do the same so that a complete understanding may be established between the two Governments on all these points. Italy and Great Britain having already agreed on the closing of the Egyptian frontier to supplies for the rebels and to the closing of the markets of Cyrenaica to the rebels, due care being exercised not to starve the friendly populations. Agree (A.) 1. To make no agreement with the Senoussi without a previous understanding with one another. 2. That the opening and closing of the Egyptian and Cyrenaica markets shall be determined by common consent between the two Powers. 3. That, should the necessity arise, military co-operation may extend over Egyptian or Cyrenaica territory in an area to be agreed upon in each case, with reciprocal facilities for disembarking at the landing places of Sollum or Bardia, it being understood that neither party will establish permanent posts nor construct forts in the territory of the other which they might be obliged to cross in order to attack the enemy. 4. That they will co-operate in the manner which shall be agreed upon between the naval commands in Egypt and Cyrenaica, in watching the coasts, having the right reciprocally to cross the maritime boundary. 5. That they will establish exchanges of information between Egypt and Cyrenaica. (B.) As regards the special negotiations with Said Idris now on foot, Great Britain and Italy agree : 1. To recognise the Senoussi confraternity and religious power and functions of its chief in the person of Said Idris el Senoussi. 2. Not to accord any territorial concessions to the head of the confraternity. 3. Not to accord him independence or autonomy or in any way infringe the sovereignty of the State. 4. That it is possible to accord to the head of the confraternity the administrative autonomy of certain oases always under the sovereignty of the State in possession. 5. That they will exchange views on the following points:whether, and if so, what facilities can be conceded generally to the Senoussi, excluding always arms and ammunition; whether, and if so, what subsidies, honours and privileges shall be accorded to the Senoussi family and the head of the confraternity. 6. For their mutual advantage not to conclude either of them on their own account the negotiations now on foot with Said Idris without a previous general understanding regarding such clauses as may affect either Egypt or Cyrenaica. The dispositions of this agreement do not prejudice the questions still to be settled in fixing the frontiers between Egypt and Cyrenaica, questions with regard to which the position of the contracting parties remains as before. Accept, Monsieur l'Ambassadeur, the assurance of my highest consideration. His Excellency, Sir Rennell Rodd. S. SONNINO. |