reward them, in order that he may, if need be, present his observations thereon; yet the final decision shall be reserved for the government to which the service shall have been rendered.

Th number of persons thus protected shall not exceed twelve for each Power, and this number is fixed as the maximum unless the consent of the Sultan shall be obtained.

The status of persons who have obtained protection in virtue of the custom which is henceforth to be regulated by this stipulation shall be without limitation of the number of persons belonging to this class and now so protected, the same for themselves and their families as that which is established for other protected persons.

ARTICLE XVII.

The right to the treatment of the most favored nation is recognized by Morocco as belonging to all the Powers represented at the Madrid conference.

ARTICLE XVIII.

The convention shall be ratified.

The ratifications shall be exchanged

at Tangier with as little delay as possible.

By exceptional consent of the high contracting parties the stipulations of this convention shall take effect on the day on which it is signed at Madrid.

In faith whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed this convention, and have thereunto affixed the seals of their arms.

Done at Madrid, in thirteen originals, this third day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighty.

Regulations relative to protection adopted by common consent by the Legation of France and the Government of Morocco, August 19, 1863, referred to in Article 10.

Protection is individual and temporary.

It consequently does not in general apply to the relatives of the person protected.

It may apply to his family, that is to say, to his wife and children. living under the same roof. It lasts at the longest for a person's lifetime and is never hereditary, with the single exception of the Benchimol family, which has furnished for several generations and still furnishes persons who act in the capacity of brokers and interpreters for the post at Tangier.

Protected persons are divided into two classes.

The first class comprises natives employed by the Legation and by the various French consular officers.

The second class consists of native factors, brokers, or agents, employed by French merchants for their business affairs. It is proper here to refer to the fact that the term merchant is only applied to a person carrying on the import or export trade on a large scale, either in his own name or as the agent of others.

The number of native brokers enjoying French protection is limited to two for each commercial house.

By way of exception commercial firms having establishments in different ports may have two brokers attached to each of these establishments, who may as such enjoy French protection.

French protection is not extended to natives employed by French citizens in agricultural occupations.

Nevertheless, in consideration of the existing state of things, and by agreement with the authorities of Morocco, the benefit of the protection which has hitherto been granted to the persons referred to in the foregoing paragraph shall be extended to the said persons for two months from the first of September next.

It is moreover, understood that agricultural laborers, herdsmen, or other native peasants, in the service of French citizens shall not be legally prosecuted without immediate information thereof being communicated to the competent consular officer, in order that the latter may protect the interests of his countrymen.

The list of all protected persons shall be delivered by the proper con

sulate to the competent magistrate of the place, who shall likewise be informed of any changes that may subsequently be made in the said list.

Each protected person shall be furnished with a card in French and in Arabic, mentioning his name and stating the services which secure this privilege to him.

All these cards shall be issued by the legation of France at Tangier. TANGIER, Aug. 19, 1863.

DECLARATION BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE RESPECTING EGYPT AND MOROCCO, TOGETHER WITH THE SECRET ARTICLES SIGNED AT THE SAME TIME.1

Signed at London, April 8, 1904.

ARTICLE I.

His Britannic Majesty's Government declare that they have no intention of altering the political status of Egypt.

The Government of the French Republic, for their part, declare that they will not obstruct the action of Great Britain in that country by asking that a limit of time be fixed for the British occupation or in any other manner, and that they give their assent to the draft Khedivial decree annexed to the present arrangement, containing the guarantees considered necessary for the protection of the interests of the Egyptian bondholders, on the condition that, after its promulgation, it cannot be modified in any way without the consent of the Powers signatory of the Convention of London of 1885.

It is agreed that the post of Director-General of Antiquities in Egypt shall continue, as in the past, to be entrusted to a French savant.

The French schools in Egypt shall continue to enjoy the same liberty as in the past.

ARTICLE II.

The Government of the French Republic declare that they have no intention of altering the political status of Morocco.

1 Great Britain Treaty Series, No. 24, 1911. This declaration, without the secret articles, is published in the SUPPLEMENT (Vol. I, p. 6) and is here reprinted for ready reference in connection with the secret articles now made public. 2 For text of this draft Decree and Correspondence relating to the Declaration, see Parliamentary Paper "Treaty Series, No. 6 (1905)." [Cd. 2384.]

His Britannic Majesty's Government, for their part, recognize that it appertains to France, more particularly as a Power whose dominions are coterminous for a great distance with those of Morocco, to preserve order in that country, and to provide assistance for the purpose of all administrative, economic, financial, and military reforms which it may require.

They declare that they will not obstruct the action taken by France for this purpose, provided that such action shall leave intact the rights which Great Britain, in virtue of treaties, conventions, and usage, enjoys in Morocco, including the right of coasting trade beween the ports of Morocco, enjoyed by British vessels since 1901.

ARTICLE III.

His Britannic Majesty's Government, for their part, will respect the rights which France, in virtue of treaties, conventions, and usage, enjoys in Egypt, including the right of coasting trade between Egyptian ports accorded to French vessels.

ARTICLE IV.

The two governments, being equally attached to the principle of commercial liberty both in Egypt and Morocco, declare that they will not, in those countries, countenance any inequality either in the imposition of customs duties or other taxes, or of railway transport charges.

The trade of both nations with Morocco and with Egypt shall enjoy the same treatment in transit through the French and British possessions in Africa. An agreement between the two governments shall settle the conditions of such transit and shall determine the points of entry.

This mutual engagement shall be binding for a period of thirty years. Unless this stipulation is expressly denounced at least one year in advance, the period shall be extended for five years at a time.

Nevertheless, the Government of the French Republic reserve to themselves in Morocco, and His Britannic Majesty's Government reserve to themselves in Egypt, the right to see that the concessions for roads, railways, ports, &c., are only granted on such conditions as will maintain intact the authority of the state over these great undertakings of public interest.

ARTICLE V.

His Britannic Majesty's Government declare that they will use their influence in order that the French officials now in the Egyptian service

may not be placed under conditions less advantageous than those applying to the British officials in the same service.

The Government of the French Republic, for their part, would make no objection to the application of analogous conditions to British officials now in the Moorish service.

ARTICLE VI.

In order to ensure the free passage of the Suez Canal, His Britannic Majesty's Government declare that they adhere to the stipulations of the treaty of the 29th October, 1888, and that they agree to their being put in force. The free passage of the canal being thus guaranteed, the execution of the last sentence of paragraph 1 as well as of paragraph 2 of Article 8 of that treaty will remain in abeyance.

ARTICLE VII.

In order to secure the free passage of the Straits of Gibraltar, the two governments agree not to permit the erection of any fortifications or strategic works on that portion of the coast of Morocco comprised between, but not including, Melilla and the heights which command the right bank of the River Sebou.

This condition does not, however, apply to the places at present in the occupation of Spain on the Moorish coast of the Mediterranean.

ARTICLE VIII.

The two governments, inspired by their feeling of sincere friendship for Spain, take into special consideration the interests which that country derives from her geographical position and from her territorial possessions on the Moorish coast of the Mediterranean. In regard to these interests the French Government will come to an understanding with the Spanish Government.

The agreement which may be come to on the subject between France and Spain shall be communicated to His Britannic Majesty's Government.

ARTICLE IX.

The two governments agree to afford to one another their diplomatic support, in order to obtain the execution of the clauses of the present declaration regarding Egypt and Morocco.

In witness whereof his excellency the Ambassador of the French Republic at the Court of His Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of